Aim: To increase recycling by 75% and stop all operational food waste going to landfill by the year 2020/21

Background: Since 2001 Waitrose has reported their 'corporate social responsibility performance' which has outlined their achievements and aims for the future. They hope to achieve this by keeping food packaging minimalistic and recyclable where possible and to reduced food waste going to landfill by ensuring it is consumed where possible or contributes to generating energy through anaerobic digestion. Waitrose has recently started selling a new range called 'a little less than perfect' where damaged vegetables are sold at a discounted price to prevent farm waste.

Benefits: This means the local environment is not impacted negatively by landfill and it helps to save money by recycling materials instead of dumping them. Food that is not bought is donated to charities for people and animals in order to help the local people who can't afford food.

Facts and Figures: By keeping packaging minimalistic, Waitrose saves around 2 tonnes of plastic each year. They reached their 2015/16 target which was to decrease waste sent to landfill by 98%. Between 1st September and 31st January, Waitrose donated £330,000 worth of food to local charities in order to prevent it from going to waste.

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