UK retailers are leading the debate on European waste.

UK retailers are leading the fight against environmental waste in the industry with a conference in Brussels today.

Major retailers from across Europe will be demonstrating how to tackle sustainability challenges, such as how to cut back on energy usage and how to reduce plastic bag dependency in favour for other options, such as paper bags and long-lasting options.

Hosted by Julie Girling MEP, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) organised event is expected to deal with difficult topics, as well as promoting the cutting edge report, A Better Retailing Climate: Towards Sustainable Retail.

A number of major retailers will be attending, including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Alliance Boots, who are all set to showcase their work on reducing packaging waste, providing better consumer information and more efficient recycling.

Commenting on the day, BRC head of EU affairs, Ray Symons, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the practical measures retailers are taking with their suppliers and consumers to tackle key environmental issues such as reducing packaging and cutting food waste."

He went on to claim that BRC members are demonstrating how working with the market can deliver more efficient results than waiting for "cumbersome regulation", emphasising the importance of independent decision making.

Julie Girling, MEP, added that this waste problem requires an urgent response, meaning "we have to work with industry to find efficient solutions that deliver the environmental results we need without stifling our economy".

Plastic carrier bags make up around one per cent of the UK's total waste, according to the BRC report, highlighting how retailers can significantly help reduce nationwide environmental impacts.

Total bag use has fallen by four billion in the last five years, thanks to initiatives to reduce plastic bag use.

However, despite progress, to reduce plastic bag use even further retailers could seek to use more cotton shopping bags and bags for life, as a more sustainable option.