SINGAPORE : A year-old industry-government pact to cut waste has slashed the amount of packaging used for specific food and beverage products by up to 17 per cent.

According to a statement from the National Environment Agency (NEA), signatories to the voluntary initiative, called the Singapore Packaging Agreement, collectively cut down their packaging waste by 850 metric tonnes since they joined it last June.

They achieved this by cutting down on the thickness, weight or dimensions of packaging materials, without compromising on product quality. Other measures include re-using and recycling packaging and educating customers on minimising waste.

NEA also announced that 31 more companies in the food and beverage sector have joined the agreement.

Signed in June 2007, the agreement's signatories already include five industry associations representing more than 500 companies, 19 individual firms, two non-governmental organisations, the Waste Management & Recycling Association of Singapore, and four public waste collectors.

To recognise signatories who have made notable efforts in reducing packaging waste, the NEA also announced the inaugural 3R Packaging Awards.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, will be presenting the awards to 10 companies on Nov 3.

The distinction award will be presented to Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore ) Pte Ltd, Bon Cafe International Pte Ltd, Kentucy Fried Chicken Management Pte Ltd and Tetra Pak Jurong Pte Ltd.

The merit recipients will be presented to Chinatown Food Corporation Pte Ltd, F & N Coca-Cola (Singapore) Pte Ltd, McDonald's Restaurants Pte Ltd, Nestle Singapore Pte Ltd, Subway Singapore Development Pte Ltd and Sunfresh Singapore Pte Ltd. - CNA /ls