Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of food packaging is recyclable.

We do not collect data on the percentage of food packaging that is recyclable.

Packaging has an important and positive role to play in reducing product damage and minimising food waste. Keeping food fresher for longer through innovations such as vacuum packing and re-sealable packs has a significant impact on extending the life of products and reducing waste.

Great progress in reduction of food packaging has been made through the Courtauld commitment. Courtauld 3 signatories reduced food and packaging waste in the supply chain by 3% between 2012 and 2015, preventing 219,000 tonnes of waste and 555,000t of CO2e. Signatories to the Hospitality and Food Service Agreement reduced their food and packaging waste by 11% between 2012 and 2015, exceeding their 5% target.

This Government remains committed to preventing waste where possible and will be consulting widely on our plans for resources, waste and recycling in developing our waste and resources strategy.