The voluntary Courtauld Commitment to reduce packaging is too vague & progress against its targets too difficult to measure, according to the majority of respondents to an exclusive survey by Packaging News. Over 80% of respondents said Courtauld encouraged retailers & brand owners to focus on quick wins, rather than look at the most suitable packaging for each product, while over half said it should be replaced by statutory targets. The voluntary commitment by retailers & brand owners to reduce packaging was launched in 2005 by WRAP. It includes 3 aims: to design out packaging waste growth by 2008; deliver absolute reductions in packaging waste by 2010; & identify ways to tackle food waste. Nearly two-thirds of the 100+ respondents to the internet survey thought WRAP should refocus Courtauld on packaging optimisation & recycled content, rather than reduction.
