The UK Dairy Roadmap has entered its next phase, with its Processor Working Group publishing new environmental targets for the dairy-processing sector covering climate and energy, water, plastics and packaging, with milestones extending through 2027 and 2030. The programme, which began in 2008, reports that processors now use more than 30% less energy and over 50% less water per tonne of milk processed.
Around 65% of UK milk is now within supply chains aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), compared with just 0.5% in 2008. Packaging per tonne of milk has fallen by more than 60%, plastic milk bottles contain over 30% recycled material, more than 90% of processor waste is recovered or recycled, landfill disposal has fallen from 24% to below 2%, and food waste averages just 1.3% of inputs.
The new packaging commitments aim to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic, maximise recycled content and improve recyclability. Packaging should be recyclable where possible and economically viable, paper and card should carry Forest Stewardship Council certification or an equivalent standard, and dyed plastic bottle caps are targeted for removal from consumer packaging by 2030.
On emissions, every processor is expected to estimate and report Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. SMEs are being asked to undertake the SBTi process and present it to their boards by the end of 2026, while all processors must have SBTi-approved Scope 1 and 2 targets by the end of 2027; large organisations must also establish Scope 3 targets, including Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) targets, by the end of 2027.
Water management is also moving from measurement towards action. Processors must measure operational water use and complete water-risk assessments by the end of 2026, followed by risk-reduction plans by the end of 2027, with the roadmap targeting no serious pollution incidents, legislative compliance, sustainable water use and improved wastewater treatment, including reuse where feasible.
A new data-collection template will standardise monitoring across the industry, while guidance on SBTi and water objectives is still being developed and discussions on recycled packaging content continue. For processors, several deadlines—including SBTi board sign-off, Scope 1/2 target approval, water-risk action plans and the bottle-cap phase-out—fall within roughly 18 months, making implementation and comparable reporting critical. (Food and Drink Technology)
Source: Dairynews7x7 29 Aug, 2026 Read full story
#DairyIndustry #DairySustainability #DairyRoadmap #SustainableDairy #DairyProcessing #FoodPackaging #DairyNews7x7
