The system is Compass’ in-house solution designed to be integrated within its bespoke recipe, menu, nutrition and allergen management programme. Tackling food waste is an important part of the company’s climate net zero by 2030 ambition, which includes a commitment to halve food waste.

The roll out will enable the business to collect consistent data and further identify measures to help tackle waste. This is supported by a wider programme of educating teams on how to reduce food waste, with a focus on prevention and advanced planning.

Robin Mills, managing director at Compass Group UK & Ireland, added: “We have made great progress in reducing food waste within our business over the years, through education, menu planning and use of waste management systems.

“The roll out of our new enhanced waste recording system across our business is game changing. It will support our teams to further reduce food waste as we seek to halve it by 2030. In a world of limited resources, tackling food waste is essential as we all work to do our bit to support our planet.”

How Compass celebrated Stop Food Waste Day:

• Compass’ headquarters in Chertsey hosted a food waste showcase attended by partners including FareShare, Toast Ale, Rubies in the Rubble, Waste Knot and Too Good To Go.
• Chartwells, Compass’ education catering specialists, has created Beyond The Chartwells Kitchen food waste information materials and its team of nutritionists have delivered more than 50 education sessions on the subject this academic year.
• Sports and entertainment sector, Levy UK+I, has been using and sharing food waste tips and recipes for customers in landmark venues including Twickenham Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium.
• In over 70 hospitals where Compass supports retail, it is working with Too Good to Go, which is helping distribute surplus food to consumers saving hundreds of food items per week.
• ESS, the Defence, Energy and Government Services sector is further rolling out a vacuum packing process to extend the shelf life of products.
• Compass Group has published a food waste cookbook, which features 45 chefs from more than 30 countries.

According to waste management charity WRAP, UK households waste over £14 billion of food every year (the equivalent of eight meals a week- costing the average UK family more than £700 a year).

Ashleigh Taylor, head of environment at Compass Group UK & Ireland, added: “Stop Food Waste Day is an important opportunity for us to raise awareness around this problem, so it’s great to see so many of our partners and clients being supported to tackle this important issue.

“When we waste food, we also waste the resources needed to create it and the environmental impact is huge. As the UK and Ireland’s leading food and support services provider, it is our responsibility to act now.”