July 2018
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
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This seminar discussed priorities and next steps for food packaging and waste management in the UK.
It brought together key policymakers and stakeholders as officials at Defra prepared to finalise the wide-ranging Resources and Waste Strategy expected later this year - and took place in the context of the waste reduction targets set out in the 25-Year Environment Plan.
Delegates assessed the way ahead for the food and packaging industry to meet the goals in the Plan, for zero avoidable waste by 2050 and no avoidable plastic waste by 2042 - including the potential impact and practicalities of the Government’s proposed deposit return scheme. The seminar also followed the launch of WRAP’s UK Plastics Pact that aims to transform the plastic packaging sector by meeting targets, such as eliminating the use of single-use packaging by 2025, and the recommendations from WRAP, INCPEN and ACP on packaging regulation reform to reduce environmental impact, which were accepted by the Secretary of State.
Those attending also discussed progress in packaging innovation, including reducing excess; opportunities for increasing the use of recyclable materials, whilst at the same time ensuring food safety and minimising waste from spoilage; latest developments in smart packaging; and potential alternatives to plastics, in light of the Government’s consultation into reducing single-use plastics and encouraging innovation through potential charges or tax systems.
Further sessions considered the roles and responsibilities of parties across the supply chain - including the part local partnerships, recycling providers and producers should play going forward; the effectiveness of Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) schemes, in light of the National Audit Office’s review; and priorities for engaging consumers.
The agenda also brought out discussion on what can be learnt from varying waste management and food waste policies across the UK, in light of the Welsh Government announcement of £15 million of funding to improve local waste recycling and infrastructure, and alternative international systems, including how the environmentally-friendly use of food waste can be widened and improved.
