24 July 2013
Food and drink businesses have saved £2.2 million by reducing their water consumption. The voluntary agreement, Federation House Commitment (FHC) run by WRAP, aimed at helping food and drink manufacturers reduce their water consumption, also delivered savings of 1.5 million mᵌ in the last year.
The 16.1% reduction in water use has been achieved through activities such as water reuse, improved efficiency in cleaning operations and innovations in water using products like taps. The whole industry target is set to reduce water consumption of 20% by 2020 and the actions of signatories under the FHC are going a long way to help meet that target. The amount of water saved between 2007 and 2012 is 7.4 million mᵌ; this could fill nearly 3,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.
There are now 71 active signatories across 294 sites signed up to the agreement, including members of Dairy UK, who became an official partner in 2012.
Dr Richard Swannell, Director, WRAP, said: “It’s great news, the latest results show that signatories are continuing to have a significant impact. By bringing the industry together through the Federation House Commitment we are able to help achieve collective action which has seen significant financial and environmental savings. The actions of signatories are also making a considerable contribution towards meeting the whole industry target of 20% by 2020.”
Andrew Kuyk, Director of Sustainability at Food and Drink Federation said: “The Federation House Commitment is central to our efforts to help members achieve the water savings which are vital for their businesses, for the environment and for the communities in which they operate. It is an excellent example of voluntary collaboration under WRAP’s independent and authoritative leadership and we look forward to further progress in the year ahead.”
Dairy UK Director Jim Begg said: “The dairy industry takes its environmental responsibilities extremely seriously and water use has to be at the top of the agenda for us in terms of a sustainable future. This partnership demonstrates our industry’s commitment to reducing its water consumption and will build upon and complement the water reduction targets already set by the industry’s own Dairy Roadmap.”
The FHC is a voluntary agreement run by WRAP, with a steering group comprising FDF, Dairy UK and the Environment Agency, on behalf of Defra (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs); it has continued to grow since its launch in 2007, with around 23% of the UK food and drink manufacturing sector (based on water use) signed up.