Top British retailers have urged the UK government to introduce mandatory food waste reporting for large companies, as they look to accelerate progress towards tackling the nation’s growing food waste problem.
Major retailers such as Tesco, Waitrose, and Marks & Spencer have thrown their weight behind the call for a more rigorous framework, with the hope of reducing the 9.5 million tonnes of food wasted in the UK annually. Currently, businesses in the food sector are encouraged to report their waste voluntarily, but the lack of mandatory regulation has led to inconsistent participation.
Ken Murphy, Tesco's CEO, stressed the urgent need for stronger measures: "We have long believed that food waste reporting should be made mandatory across the UK food industry and welcome the consultation on the possibility of the UK Government introducing regulations to enforce this."
While some companies have committed to transparency, campaigners argue that voluntary reporting has not gone far enough. Without mandatory disclosure, critics say, the industry risks falling behind in the fight against food waste, with the UK government’s target to halve food waste by 2030 hanging in the balance.
Environmental charity WRAP, which has worked closely with the food industry to tackle waste, has supported the proposal. WRAP’s CEO, Marcus Gover, said: "Voluntary reporting has made a difference but mandating it is essential if we are to achieve the step change needed to meet our targets."
However, some food businesses fear that compulsory reporting would lead to increased costs and red tape, adding pressure to an already challenging market.
Despite this, proponents of mandatory food waste reporting believe that greater transparency will not only benefit the environment but also drive innovation within the industry. Companies that are more aware of their waste figures are better positioned to reduce it, benefiting their bottom line and the planet.
The UK government has signalled its intent to address the issue. A spokesperson said, "We are committed to reducing food waste and will be consulting with businesses on introducing measures, including mandatory reporting."
As the debate continues, environmental groups, industry leaders, and government representatives are set to engage in discussions on how best to tackle one of the UK’s most pressing environmental challenges. With the clock ticking towards the 2030 target, the future of food waste reporting could be at a turning point.
The coming months will be critical in determining whether voluntary commitments will evolve into a mandated framework, potentially reshaping the food industry’s approach to waste.
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