Britain's waste mountain hit 18.4m tons in 2009

London, April 4 (ANI): The foods and drinks wasted by Brits cost the UK a harrowing 17billion pounds annually, a new report has revealed.

According to the report published by Wrap, the Government's recycling agency, Britain's waste mountain - comprising food, drink and discarded packaging - hit 18.4 million tons in 2009.

"Neither the economy nor the planet can afford to foot the bill for the staggering level of waste in the UK food chain. There is not enough talk about prevention, which is where we need to see much greater focus from government and industry. The Government must act on this report across the food supply chain and end its own wasteful and costly obsession with incineration," the Independent quoted Julian Kirby, Friends of the Earth's resource use campaigner, as saying.

The report said Brit households dumped nearly 11.9 million tons of food and drinks every year, at a cost of 12billion pounds. Manufacturers waste five million tons annually, with retailers wasting 1.4 million tons and a further 100,000 tons going to the bins during the distribution process.

Liz Goodwin, chief executive of Wrap, said: "We need to improve communication between various parts of the supply chain. For example, if retailers talk to their suppliers, we will be able to get the best outcomes." (ANI)