M&S ‘will sign up’ to Courtauld 2

CC2 was launched this morning with 28 signatories including Asda, Morrison, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, as well as brands including Unilever and Northern Foods, but not Procter & Gamble or M&S.

However, an M&S spokesperson said it had confirmed to Wrap that it “supports the new targets and will be signing up to the second Courtauld Commitment”.

“We have worked extensively with Wrap on Plan A, our eco and ethical programme, and will continue to do so as we stretch our targets and take our commitments on packaging and waste to the next level,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

CC2 has set three targets for carbon impact reduction by 2012, based on 2009 levels. The targets are a 10% reduction for grocery packaging; a 4% reduction for household food and waste; and a 5% reduction for product and packaging waste in the supply chain.

Environment secretary Hilary Benn said: “A fifth of household waste is packaging, and more than half of this comes from the groceries we buy. This packaging can be essential but in many cases using less and smarter packaging can achieve the same result.

“Grocery manufacturers and retailers have already started to take action and have halted the increase in packaging.  The new Commitment sees them go further than ever in reducing food waste and packaging, and making it smarter.”

Procter & Gamble was unavailable for comment when contacted by Packaging News.

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