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The Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) has said it is "cautiously optimistic" about achieving the first Courtauld Commitment objective to design out growth in packaging waste by 2008.

Wrap has worked with signatories to develop a consistent reporting approach on the total weight of packaging used by their businesses over the calendar year.

Signatories, who will also highlight where they have supported the Courtauld Commitment objective to reduce food waste, will start using the new template in the first quarter of 2008.

"The 2010 objective [to deliver absolute reductions in packaging waste] has always been the more challenging proposition," said Wrap project manager Clare Wood.

"The recent spate of unilateral targets from the grocery retailers and the new Food and Drink Federation packaging targets, coupled with a growing number of signatories, will all help achieve it."

In an initiative backed by Wrap and the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF), working groups have been established to explore packaging best practice in the frozen food sector, starting with pizzas and ready meals.

Wrap is also introducing a DIY and home improvement sector initiative, which aims to create a benchmark for product packaging.

Wrap staff will meet with management in January to find out how a 25% cut in the organisation's budget will affect its work to reduce household packaging waste.

The fall, revealed earlier this month by chief executive Liz Goodwin, is likely to lead to a "net reduction" in jobs.