Mitchells & Butlers, the leading operator of restaurants and pubs in the UK, is on target to send zero waste direct to landfill by the end of 2013.

Currently over a third of Mitchells & Butlers' 1,600 pubs and restaurants are sending as little as 15% of their waste to landfill.

Erik Castenskiold, director of corporate affairs for Mitchells & Butlers, said: "Over the last five years there has been a real turnaround in the management of waste across Mitchells & Butlers. We have been working hard to maximise our recycling and explore ways to generate energy from our food waste.

"We've gone from a general waste collection only service to a landfill diversion programme which is already hitting highs of over 85% at some of our sites. This progress underlines our commitment to effective recycling and sustainable business practice."

The Company's waste collections have transformed from general waste to specialist collections for glass, dry mixed recycling (cardboard, paper, plastics and cans) and more recently the introduction of food waste recycling collections.

The food collection service is currently in operation in around 75% of Mitchells & Butlers locations with a full roll out planned for later this year. The food waste is sent for processing by the means of anaerobic digestion which converts the food waste into electricity.

This effective programme means there is little other material for Mitchells & Butlers to dispose of at landfill.

Ian Gosling, purchasing manager for Mitchells & Butlers, said: "Reaching our goal of sending zero waste to landfill by 2013 will have commercial and environmental benefits both now and in the future. We are continuing to look for innovative and industry leading ways to manage our waste. We are now approaching the market specifically to find strategic partners to help deliver our targets."