WRAP Cymru food waste reduction scheme

An initiative aiming to reduce food waste in the Welsh hospitality, food and drink manufacturing industry has been WRAP Cymru (Waste & Resources Action Programme, Wales) today (23 January).

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will be eligible to apply for grants of up to £50,000 to invest in the ‘installation and maintenance’ of recycling and waste-prevention equipment, as well as ;sustainable waste management plans’. Up to a £10,000 worth of resources will also be available to businesses, including advice and business support from a ‘WRAP-appointed business consultant’ with specific industry experience.

The scheme, launched by WRAP Cymru in association with the British Hospitality Association, Wales is backed by £920,000 of Welsh government funding, with support from the Wales Tourism Alliance and the Institute of Hospitality Cymru.

According to WRAP, businesses currently waste £1,800 with every tonne of avoidable food waste that gets thrown away. It is hoped that the new scheme could help pubs, restaurants and hotels in Wales save £5 million pounds per year through recycling more and reducing their waste.

Susan Jay, Business and Markets Manager for WRAP Cymru, said: “We’ve worked closely with the hospitality and food and drink industries to come up with a package that truly meets their needs. That’s why we’re not only offering businesses the chance to save money by learning how to reduce their waste, but up to £50,000 towards the cost of new equipment too.

“We want to award grants as soon as we can. That way we’ll help businesses start saving money right away, and get 2013 off to a great start.”

Andrew Evans, Chair of British Hospitality Association Wales, added: ”WRAP Cymru has listened carefully to industry requirements and devised a package that closely meets business needs. To date it has been a very successful partnership between the industry and WRAP Cymru and we look forward to leading for the industry in the implementation stages, and to making a difference in Wales.”

The scheme, launched by WRAP Cymru in association with the British Hospitality Association, Wales is backed by £920,000 of Welsh government funding, with support from the Wales Tourism Alliance and the Institute of Hospitality Cymru.

This is the latest initiative in a bid to reduce food waste following a recent report finding that the world throws away up to 50 per cent of its food.

WRAP pushed the food waste agenda again yesterday (22 January) with the launch of its Think.Eat.Save campaign, of which it is a partner along with the UN, FAO and Feeding the 5,000 (amongst others, including national governments).

Applications for funding are now open to small and medium businesses in Wales.