BBPA and WRAP team up to battle against food waste war

The organisations revealed UK hospitality businesses waste 1.1m tonnes of food each year, costing £3.2bn.

However, it was claimed three quarters (75%) of the waste is avoidable, highlighting the potential for savings as well as positive environmental action for operators.

Reducing food waste is a relatively simple way operators can have control and impact over costing savings, even when there are external pressures making business hard, according to the BBPA.

The two organisations have joined forces to produce a free webinar​, aimed at helping businesses save cash and boost their green credentials through tackling food waste.

The webinar will make Hospitality Day and International Food Loss and Waste Day on Friday 29 September.

Feedback from the trade body’s members that have already implemented some of the different ways in working has been positive, it added.

Small changes

The Queens Arms in Carlisle, Cumbria implemented small changes after signing up to WRAP’s Guardians of Grub campaign and consequently, the Daniel Thwaites-owned pub has cut food waste by 62% in four weeks, resulting in a £7,000 saving.

Daniel Thwaites food support manager Nicola Underwood said: “It was really straightforward to get the project started.

“The tools from the Guardians of Grub website were easy to use and we only invested in a set of luggage scales, some clear bin bags and clear plastic tubs and we were ready to go.

“The chefs started to see results come through immediately, which helped to project to gain momentum and deliver some staggering results.

“It has been such a success, we have rolled out Guardians of Grub out to our entire managed estate [of 24 sites].”

WRAP food waste prevention specialist Hugh Jones said the organisation was delighted to be working with the BBPA following a significant rise in the pub trade’s interest in becoming more sustainable.

Major contributor

He added: “As we know, food waste is a major contributor to carbon emissions as well as costing the industry £3.2bn a year – reducing food waste saves money as well as pushing towards net zero targets.

“Friday 29 September sees the industry celebrate National Hospitality Day and also marks International Day of Food Loss and Waste so this is the perfect time to take action.

“Guardians of Grub is here to shape a sustainable future for the sector and rise up against the 1.1m tonnes of food thrown away by the hospitality and food service industry every year.

“Let’s unite in the fight against food waste and protect profits and planet.”

The BBPA’s chief executive Emma McClarkin is one of the Guardians of Grub campaign ambassadors.

She said: “Teaming up with WRAP for Hospitality Day and Food Loss and Waste Day just makes sense.

“This session will help businesses across our sector to understand food waste better and see where cost savings can be made quickly and easily.

“With pubs facing extreme cost pressures, the opportunity to make adjustments to save money will be welcome and our members who have already been working with WRAP have certainly seen the benefit already.

“As a sector, we are committed to making our businesses as sustainable as possible, sometimes people think this has to mean big changes but what WRAP’s work shows us is a small change can make a big difference and we’re really looking forward to supporting them and their work to take the fight against food waste even further.”