More than 100 of the biggest players in food, including all of the UK’s major supermarkets, have signed a pledge to take action to drive down food waste.

Big-hitters from the world of food and sustainability including Aldi, Asda, Caffé Nero, Co-op, Costa, Lidl, Nestlé, Sainsbury’s, Starbucks, Tesco, and Waitrose have signed a pledge committing to help halve food waste by 2030.

Currently in the UK an estimated 10.2 million tonnes of food and drink are wasted annually after leaving the farm gate, worth around £20 billion. It is estimated that UK householders spend £15 billion every year on food that could have been eaten but ends up being thrown away, equating to £500 a year for the average household.

Today’s announcement comes after the government’s food surplus and waste champion Ben Elliot urged organisations to "Step up to the Plate" at a landmark symposium last month.

The event brought together around 300 key players from various parts of the food industry for a day of targeted discussion and action.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "I am delighted to see so many UK food businesses commit to game-changing action to cut food waste, and I hope that others follow suit.

"The UK is showing real leadership in this area, but each year millions of tonnes of food is wasted."

Food Surplus and Waste Champion Ben Elliot said: "We are pleased to see these retailers committing to change. To those retailers yet to sign the pledge – why not? You have a responsibility to step up and do your bit."

We will be highlighting those who participate and those who do not. The food waste crisis can only be solved by collective action.

Stefano Agostini, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé UK & Ireland, said:

"Food waste is a critical issue, from an environmental and social perspective and one where we all have a role to play.

"It is crucially important that we work together to help reduce food waste across our own operations, our supply chains and also support consumers to reduce food waste in the home."

The next step is for all signatories to publicly report their food waste data in line with Champions 12.3 best practice.

This will be crucial for identifying hotspots that require collective action; holding individual companies to account for the commitments they have made and for the UK delivering on Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.