Plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables could be banned as part of waste-reduction proposals to be published in the coming weeks.
Forcing retailers to sell produce such as apples, onions and potatoes loose, rather than in plastic wrapping, will not just cut plastic pollution but also reduce food waste, experts say. Research suggests the average family throws away £1,000 of edible food each year, often because large pack sizes mean they buy more than they need.
Government advisers on the circular economy task force — a group of scientists, engineers, business leaders and charity bosses — are discussing including the packaging ban in proposals to be published for consultation later in the autumn.
If approved it would be the biggest change to the rules governing retail plastic use since the introduction of the plastic bag levy in 2015.
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Retailers are receptive to the idea of a single scheme to reduce plastic waste across the market, rather than relying on individual food manufacturers to make the changes.
The proposal was first drawn up by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap), a charity that works closely with the government on recycling and waste reduction.
Catherine David, the chief executive, said: “Our research has found that if you remove the plastic packaging you also reduce food waste, because people buy less. They say, ‘I only need two apples, I don’t need all six in that packet’.”
She it could also improve people’s diet because shoppers would choose a greater variety of fruit and veg. “You’ve heard of ‘shopping the rainbow’ as dietary advice. If I don’t have to buy a kilo of potatoes, if I can buy just the potatoes I need, then there’s an opportunity to encourage me to buy parsnips or carrots and other veg as well.”
Bagged vegetables often make shoppers buy more than they actually eat
ALAMY
Wrap, which has a seat on the circular economy taskforce, published research last year which estimated that banning packaging on 21 fruit and vegetable items would save 13,000 tonnes of single-use plastic film. It would also stop 100,000 tonnes of food being thrown away — enough to fill 14 million shopping baskets.
David, 40, speaking in her first interview since she was appointed Wrap chief executive in May, said £17 billion of edible food was thrown away in British homes each year. “The average family of four is spending £1,000 on food each year that’s going in the bin,” she said. “I don’t think anyone is choosing to do that. Nobody is thinking ‘I’ve got a grand to burn on food waste in my family’. So what can we do to help reduce that? Loose fruit and veg is one thing that can help.”
She said the packaging ban was proposed after extensive research. “The first step hasn’t been ‘let’s ban it’. The model that we think works well is when legislation comes in to implement practices that are already quite well evidenced.”
Tesco, Britain’s largest supermarket chain, has called for the government to introduce legislation to force all retailers to bring in sustainability policies. “There is a need for well-designed government legislation to create a level playing field for retailers and manufacturers, to unleash innovation and change at scale,” Tesco said in a 2023 report on plastic waste. “Without it, we risk stifling progress, as the industry wrestles with uncertainty and the risk of competitive disadvantage.”
Regardless, retailers are pushing ahead. Aldi has taken 12 items of fruit and vegetables out of plastic packaging. Sainsbury’s has installed an AI system on its self-service tills to allow instant recognition of loose produce.
Waitrose indicated its support for the policy. A spokesman said: “We’re supportive of Wrap’s goal of eliminating unnecessary packaging, and are making good progress towards this. We already have packaging-free options for most of the produce listed [in Wrap’s proposals] and are exploring ways to extend this further.”
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The retailer said some items needed plastic protection to extend their lifespan. Cucumbers are a good example of this and so are not included on the initial list of products for which packaging might be banned. “We need to consider what packaging will be required to protect the produce and prevent waste in the supply chain, stores and customers’ homes,” the spokesman said.
Naomi Brandon-Bravo, a sustainability policy adviser at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers know how important it is to reduce plastic waste, improve circularity and make the products they use more sustainable. We welcome proposals that support the industry in building a more sustainable and resilient food system for years to come.”
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David also said new household bin collection rules, due to come into force from April, would help to push up recycling rates, which have stagnated in recent years. The changes will end bewildering local rules that differ from borough to borough. All councils will have to offer recycling of the same core items, including plastics, metal, glass and paper. From April 2027 they will all have to collect flexible plastics, such as wrappers and bags.
Only 44 per cent of household waste in England is recycled, well short of the longstanding target of 50 per cent and down on a peak of 45.5 per cent in 2019.
“In general the public want to recycle,” David said. “Ninety per cent of people are doing it. People are clearly recycling but they’re not recycling enough of what they could recycle.”
She pointed to Wales, where each council has had uniform recycling for some years. “Wales is now the second [top] recycling nation in the world, and a lot of conversation there is how to beat those pesky Austrians to get to the No 1 spot.”
Some supermarkets allow shoppers to choose between pre-packaged fruit and vegetables, and loose produce not in plastic wrap.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “Ending our throwaway society and reducing household food waste is a crucially important step towards a circular economy. Cutting waste in our food supply chain is one of the key areas of focus for our circular economy taskforce and we support businesses in their efforts to help people waste less food at home.”