Supermarkets pledge to cut waste further

UK supermarkets are poised to make further commitments to reduce packaging and food waste when they report back on their achievements under the Courtauld Commitment next week.

Companies including Tesco and Premier Foods will give a progress report on their pledge to design out packaging waste growth by 2008, and will look at delivering further reductions by 2010, when they meet MP Joan Ruddock next Monday.

The Government-backed Courtauld Commitment, launched in 2005 by the Waste & Resources Action Programme, aims to reduce packaging and food waste. Thirty-one retailers and brands have signed up to date.

The meeting takes place at the Church House Conference Centre in London, SW1, on 28 July. For a full report on the meeting, see the next edition of Design Week, out on 30 July.