WRAP UK Tools for food retail
Sector WRAP, an organization based in the UK, envisions a world where resources are used sustainably. They work with a wide range of partners, including major UK businesses, trade bodies, local authorities, and individuals looking for practical advice. A few of the resources for food retailers are:
Consistent colours and icons for recycling facilities
Seeing consistent recycling signage whether at work, school, or a common recycling room, helps staff and customers quickly sort their recycling, reduces contamination and increases recycling rates.
Recycling Signage and Colours
How many Green Bins does my building need?
Use the guide below to estimate how many Green Bins are needed for non-residential buildings.
View the guide
Food donation guidelines
NEW Industry Food Donation Guidelines now available on the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website here: (click the “Donation Guidelines” tab and scroll to “Industry Food Donation Guidelines”)
The BC Centre for Disease Control (the Provincial authority on donating food), in partnership with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Food Banks BC and Metro Vancouver, published the Industry Food Donation Guidelines to encourage donations of safe, healthy food to local food banks and charities. The Guidelines help business owners, managers or other decision makers answer these questions:
- Why donate food?
- How to start and manage a food donation program? – step by step guide
- What foods are suitable for donation?
- What about risk and liability?
Recycling hotline
The Recycling Council of BC staff can answer your questions about the organics disposal ban, and provide a list of commercial hauling and depackaging services. Contact the Recycling Hotline at 604-REC-YCLE (732-9253).
Food Waste Reduction Alliance (FWRA)
This alliance, established 2011, is an initiative of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (representing food and beverage companies), the Food Marketing Institute (representing food retailers), and the National Restaurant Association (representing the foodservice industry) from the USA. Read their benchmark report released in 2013 below.
View the benchmark report
With good access to recycling options, food retailers in the Lower Mainland experience less barriers to recycling food scraps than those in other cities.
Closing the Loop Guide
Some of the resources developed locally for restaurants in the Closing the Loop Guide, such as getting started, staff training, and health and safety are useful to grocers. It’s a practical document to help you design, implement and maintain a food scraps recycling program.