Packaging waste targeted by sector leaders
'Unpack the Future of Hospitality' will bring together hospitality businesses, suppliers, parliamentarians and other hospitality supporters to educate, inform and share best practice on reducing packaging waste.
The event follows the efforts already undertaken by the BII to raise awareness of packaging waste and will highlight the positive work already being taken by hospitality businesses.
Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking will hold the event on Thursday 10 May at its offices in central London and is supported The Morning Advertiser and Sky.
Public appetite
“Hospitality businesses have already begun to address the issue of packaging, but there is more the sector, along with wider industry and policy makers, can do,” said BII chief executive Mike Clist.
“There is clearly a considerable appetite among the public, consumers and businesses in the UK to address the problem of waste, particularly around plastic, and the time is right for the sector to tackle the issue collectively.
“Businesses are fully aware of the implications of not tackling the issue head-on. We need to bring together representatives from the entire sector to formulate a plan that allows us to cut down on packaging waste without incurring costs that will harm businesses in other areas.”
United front needed
UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said that the industry must be proactive on the issue.
“The Government’s proposal for a deposit scheme highlights the need for a united front from the sector to tackle the problem of packaging waste and avoid additional costs for businesses,” Nicholls said.
“This event will be the next step in allowing the hospitality sector to unite to make a considerable contribution to cutting packaging waste.”
Bank of Ireland corporate banking head of consumer industries Stuart Russell said: “Bank of Ireland is delighted to partner with UKHospitality and BII and host their upcoming event. It promises to be a thought-provoking and interactive discussion on some of the key topics in the hospitality industry today.”
The event follows a recent meeting between the BII, UKHospitality and the British Beer & Pub Association with Defra Minister Thérèse Coffey, where all parties pledged their commitment to encouraging better operator and consumer practices.
