WRAP EU Launches to Combat Food Waste in the EU

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A significant initiative, WRAP EU, has been launched through a partnership between the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the International Food Waste Coalition (IFWC). This new organisation aims to tackle food waste in the EU’s hospitality and food service sectors, with plans to extend its focus to sustainable fashion and plastic pollution in the future. The partnership seeks to amplify the IFWC’s mission of reducing food waste by 50% by 2030. Representing approximately 60% of the EU’s contract catering market and 15% of the hotel sector, the IFWC is well-positioned to drive impactful change.

Harriet Lamb, CEO of WRAP, highlighted the synergy between the two organisations, citing their extensive experience in food waste reduction efforts across Europe. IFWC President Didier Sandoz echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity to strengthen existing initiatives under WRAP EU.

Addressing Food Waste and Sustainability Goals

Food waste remains a major concern in the EU, with the restaurant and food service industry generating over €35 billion in waste annually, comprising 11% of the region’s total food waste, according to Eurostat. WRAP EU aims to reduce these figures by providing businesses with tools and strategies to cut waste, enhance resource efficiency, and achieve compliance with proposed mandatory reduction targets. Stéphane Leroux, Executive Director of the IFWC, emphasised that the initiative offers a unique opportunity to help businesses not only reduce costs but also mitigate the environmental impact of excessive waste.

The official launch event took place on January 28 in Paris, bringing together key stakeholders, including representatives from major industry players such as Accor Group, Sodexo, Compass Group, and Louvre Hotels Group. The event, hosted by WRAP CEO Harriet Lamb and IFWC leaders, featured discussions on innovative strategies to manage food waste.

Brune Poirson, Chair Sustainability Officer at Accor, underscored the need for radical reform in waste management to achieve global targets by 2030. “Collaboration is key to maximising our impact,” she noted, emphasising the importance of working with WRAP EU. Similarly, Mouna Fassi Daoudi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Sodexo, described the initiative as a game-changer for advancing food waste reduction, with benefits for both the environment and the economy.

Expanding Global Impact

WRAP EU is the latest addition to WRAP’s global network, joining its bases in Australia (WRAP Asia-Pacific) and the United States (WRAP Americas). This expansion highlights WRAP’s ongoing commitment to promoting sustainability on a global scale. By fostering collaboration and providing scalable solutions, WRAP EU aims to support the EU’s broader environmental goals while setting an example for other regions tackling similar challenges.

With this initiative, the EU is poised to strengthen its position as a leader in sustainable waste management, driving significant progress in the global fight against food waste and resource inefficiency.