15 June 2011

Dairy UK supports the government’s call for a zero waste economy.

The trade association says the dairy sector is committed to increasing the efficiency of resource use and reducing waste across the supply chain. The group points to the Dairy Roadmap, released earlier this year, in which it claims challenging targets have been published for farmers, processors and retailers across a range of environmental impacts, including reducing and recycling waste.

Commenting on the announcement, Dairy UK Policy Director Peter Dawson said, “The dairy sector aims to stay ahead of the game on this one and major dairy processors have already confirmed their commitment to a target of zero waste to landfill by 2015. Furthermore, Dairy UK is working with government to identify and implement more ways to reduce waste and the carbon impact of food packaging. We are also dedicated to working with consumers to reduce household waste.

“The dairy sector has created a market for recycled materials and has committed to the use of recycled plastic in milk bottles. Milk bottles today contain 10% recycled plastic and the industry has set itself a target of 30% recycled plastic by 2015 and 50% by 2020.

“The sector also fully supports initiatives on anaerobic digestion and welcomes the publication of the government’s commitment to increasing AD across the UK. Going forward, it will be essential that the government works with the dairy sector to identify opportunities and remove barriers.”