The Waste & Resources Action Programme has commissioned seven new projects; the goal of these projects is to reduce the amount of household packaging and food waste. The money comes out of WRAP’s Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund.
The seven programs bring to 17 the number of programs financed by the fund. The investment total of the 17 is more than £2 million (around US$3.454 million).
The seven programs are the following:
· H J Heinz has secured £250,000 to test lightweight food cans which, if successful, could reduce waste by 28,000 metric tons a year.
· Marks & Spencer received £38,400 to develop a reduced weight ready meal pack and to carry out consumer and market research into its commercial and technical feasibility. If successful, the estimated reduction in material used in ready meal packaging will be in excess of 1,900 metric tons per year.
· Outpace Ltd. secured £26,000 to trial reusable ‘Carrierpacs’ for the home delivery of B&Q kitchen worktops. If successful, the reusable system could reduce household waste packaging by 7,000 metric tons per year.
· Geest Mariner Foods has been awarded £25,000 to explore the options available in producing lighter weight packaging for Waitrose soups & sauces.
· Kite Packaging secured funding of £38,354 towards a project that aims to cut the amount of waste stemming from OCC. Savings could reach 5,800 metric tons per year could be achieved if the new cartons are taken on as an industry standard.
· WRAP’s Innovation Fund awarded £183,468 to trial and refine a unique concept in sealing technology developed by International Food Partners Ltd and Ceetak Ltd, with a potential for reducing household waste by over 22,000 metric tons a year.