WRAP and IFWC launch WRAP EU to fight food waste in Europe

(L-R): Stéphane Leroux, Executive Director International Food Waste Coalition (IFWC), WRAP CEO Harriet Lamb, Director of Impact Growth WRAP Dr Richard Swannell and Didier Sandoz, President IFWC.

In a major step towards reducing food waste and promoting circular living, WRAP, a global environmental action NGO, has joined forces with the International Food Waste Coalition (IFWC) to establish WRAP EU.

The new organisation will lead food system reforms while also tackling unsustainable practices in fashion, textiles and plastics. WRAP EU will first address food waste in the hospitality sector before broadening its efforts to sustainable fashion and plastic pollution.

With restaurants and food service sector generating food waste worth more than €35 billion, making up 11 percent of the total amount of food waste in the EU, WRAP EU has its work cut out.

“Tackling climate change requires global collaboration and nurturing roots in the EU allows WRAP to influence, inform and invest in key programmes that will bring circular living into every boardroom and every home,” said Harriet Lamb, CEO of WRAP.

“WRAP has a strong track record in tackling food waste across the EU, as does IFWC – so this is a perfect teaming-up to increase our collective impact. I am delighted to once again have WRAP firmly on the EU map.”

The new entity aims to amplify the impact of the IFWC, whose network is working to achieve a 50 percent reduction in food waste by 2030. IFWC members represent around 60 percent of the EU contract catering market and 15 percent of the hotels market.

Launch event

The official launch took place in Paris on Tuesday at a gathering of IFWC programme members, including leading hospitality and food service companies such as Accor Group, Sodexo, Compass Group, Elior, Club Med and BWH Hotels France.

Hosted by WRAP CEO Harriet Lamb and Director of Impact Growth Dr Richard Swannell, the event featured key figures from IFWC, including President Didier Sandoz and Executive Director Stéphane Leroux.

IFWC President Didier Sandoz commented: “We are thrilled to join forces with WRAP and forge ahead with our work tackling food waste and loss. WRAP EU will allow this to flourish and grow.”

“We can increase the impact we have through this partnership and reduce emissions linked to food waste across the continent, as part of the global push to halve food waste.”

WRAP EU marks WRAP’s third international base outside the UK, alongside WRAP Asia-Pacific in Australia and WRAP Americas in Washington DC.