In a significant advancement for its circular living programmes, the global environmental action NGO WRAP has joined forces with the International Food Waste Coalition (IFWC) to form WRAP EU.
From the heart of the European Union, this new organisation will transform global food systems, and address unsustainable production and consumption in fashion, textiles and plastics. WRAP EU, formed through the amalgamation of the IFWC and WRAP, will focus initially on tackling food waste across the hospitality and food service sector and more widely along the value chain.
The organization will then expand to focus on sustainable fashion and plastic pollution. The official launch of WRAP EU took place at a special meeting of the IFWC programme members held in Paris yesterday, Tuesday 28 January 2025.
Members include Accor Group, BWH Hotels France, Club Med, Compass Group, Elior, Kitro, Louvre Hotels Group, Leanpath, Orbisk, Sodexo and Winnow. Hosted by WRAP CEO Harriet Lamb and Director of Impact Growth Dr Richard Swannell, delegates included business as well as Didier Sandoz, President of the International Food Waste Coalition and Stéphane Leroux, Executive Director.
Harriet Lamb, CEO of WRAP, said: “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.
“WRAP has a strong track record collaborating with partners to tackle 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.” IFWC President, Didier Sandoz, said: “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.”
Richard Swannell, Director of Impact Growth WRAP, said: “We are delighted to build on the impressive achievements of the IFWC and its members. They have made huge strides transforming the food system through their partnerships in the hospitality sector and we look forward to expanding this reach through WRAP EU.
“The European Union has world-leading climate change targets, and with 2024 the hottest year ever recorded it’s imperative we drive forward and strengthen collaborative action. WRAP EU allows us to do that, and so much more.” Executive Director at IFWC, Stéphane Leroux, added: “I am really looking forward to working with the WRAP team to add value to IFWC members and to expand the programme to others across the EU.
“We have a huge opportunity here to help businesses save money, help the member states hit the proposed mandatory targets on food waste reduction, and mitigate against the enormous environmental cost of food waste.” The EU is WRAP’s third base outside the UK, alongside WRAP Asia-Pacific in Australia and WRAP in the Americas, based in Washington, D.C.
WRAP EU plans to expand the impact of the excellent IFWC with the support of its members, who have already delivered a 25% reduction in food waste at 5,000 sites. Its members represent around 60% of the EU contract catering market, and around 15% of the hotels market.
The IFWC programme will also join the Global Network of Food Pacts, sharing insights on effective food waste reduction actions with companies and NGOs across the world. Currently, the food service sector generates food waste worth more than 35 billion Euros, 11% of the total food waste in Europe according to Eurostat.
Members of the IFWC are working to achieve a 50% reduction by 2030, with at least half of members’ sites already engaged in the food waste reporting process. Members use a common methodology tailored to the hospitality and food service industries and aligned to international standards.
Mouna Fassi Daoudi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Sodexo, said: "As a founding member of the IFWC, Sodexo is proud to partner with WRAP EU. Reducing food waste and loss remains a cornerstone of our commitment to the food transition.
“This partnership is a game changer for advancing food waste reduction, benefiting both the environment and the economy.” Accor's Chief Sustainability Officer, added: Brune Poirson, "We need to radicalise how we deal with food waste to have any hope of halving global levels by 2030.
“At Accor, our global network includes over 5,600 hotels serving 200 million meals a year. As such, we have a significant role to play in moving towards a sustainable food model for our business, our sector, and our environment.
“We have a bold strategy in place to do this including cutting-edge AI solutions, menu innovation, kitchen teams training, and changing in our guests' habits through new experiences in food. Given the scale of this challenge for us all, we firmly believe that collaboration is key to maximizing our impact, and we are delighted to work with WRAP EU to continue to do better."
WRAP is championing a shift in how we produce, consume, and manage resources to establish Circular Living as a global norm, ensuring that value creation is no longer tied to the relentless consumption of virgin raw materials. To support the growth of WRAP EU they will be expanding their team and releasing two new and exciting opportunities soon.
