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The guide is designed to challenge manufacturers, retailers, local authorities and waste companies to put in place the measures necessary for all food packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2013.

These measures include:

• Packaging manufacturers will have to produce more sustainable packaging that can either be composted or easily recycled.
• Retailers will have to provide the incentive to drive this innovation by specifying compostable or recyclable packaging in their purchasing decisions, simplifying the range of packaging materials across their food ranges (particularly plastics) and working together to develop clear labelling for consumers.
• Local authorities will have to provide consumers with home composting bins for those with gardens, collection of food waste and compostable packaging for those without, and a comprehensive recycling service for plastic, glass, metal, paper and cardboard.
• Central government will need to take more of a lead to ensure that local authorities work to common standards on what is collected and how, to help retailers choose the right packaging materials and give consistent information to consumers.
• Waste companies will have to work with local authorities and retailers to develop integrated recycling and composting infrastructure.

Stephen Hale, director of Green Alliance, said:
"Consumers want to be greener but need help to reduce their waste and carbon footprint. Yet 18 percent of household waste in the UK is food waste and a further 20 percent is packaging. Landfill is no longer an option. Manufacturers, retailers, local authorities and waste companies can, and must, do more to help householders do the right thing."

Green Alliance's 2013 target comes after extensive discussions with retailers and other partners to produce guidance on the use of compostable packaging. While not all retailers have set themselves such a target, Green Alliance believes that it will be an important spur to innovation in this area. Reducing packaging and considering reusable packaging where appropriate should be the first step. If packaging is needed, the choice between recyclable or compostable depends on its application and the availability of a suitable recovery route. The guidance seeks to clarify this, and is supported by Marks and Spencer, Sainsburys, Boots, INCPEN and LARAC, the local authority recycling advisory committee.

Rowland Hill, sustainability manager at M&S said:
"Many of the environmental challenges associated with packaging can only be resolved by all parts of industry and government working together with a shared vision. Green Alliance's work creates an excellent framework for future agreements."

Stuart Lendrum, head of print and packaging at Sainsburys said:
"This is important work - it illustrates the complexity of packaging decisions but also the importance of helping consumers as far as possible to do the 'right thing'. It may offer a model for joined-up thinking between packaging producers, retailers, consumers and local authorities. We would be happy to send it to all our suppliers."

Richard Ellis, head of corporate social responsibility at Boots, said:
"Taking a 'cradle to cradle' approach to improving the sustainability profile of products and services is essential if positive change is to be achieved. This requires all actors in the supply chain to work together. The development of this guide is an excellent example of such co-operation in the important area of packaging design and selection. Boots is pleased to be able be involved in the project and will be implementing it in our packaging strategies."