Loose is better than wrapped in plastic packaging!
/A new study has recently been released by sustainable charity Wrap looking into factors affecting how much uncut fresh produce goes to waste in the home. Its been a common narrative from supermarkets that the plastic packaging seen on fresh fruit and veg helps keep it fresh and therefore prevents food waste but we’re pleased to hear that this has now been challenged and a new study has revealed that selling loose is better than wrapped in plastic!
Wrap carried out an 18 month study looking at the sales of bananas, broccoli, cucumbers, apples and potatoes. These items are typically sold packaged in supermarkets. A survey in 2020 found that within a retail setting 84% of these items where sold packaged compared to loose. In their research Wrap looked at the relationship between plastic packaging and household food waste, as well as the impact of date labels and storage temperatures and overall the research revealed significant opportunities to reduce both food waste and plastic packaging.
Based on their findings they think there are potential savings of 100,000 TONNES of food waste and more than 10,300 TONNES of plastic, equating to 130,000 TONNES of CO2e in the UK. They also think that more than 21,500 tonnes of plastic and 70,000 tonnes of CO2e could be saved if a wider range of products that are currently sometimes sold loose were only sold loose.
In their research Wrap found that plastic wrapped pre-packs of the fruits and vegetables meant that people where wasting food due to being forced to buy more than they need. Product life testing of the five fresh produce items also showed that plastic packaging had no or little meaningful effect on extending their life.
From the study Wrap is recommending that retailers sell loose, remove date labels and use best practice guidance to help people understand the benefits of storing appropriate fresh produce in the fridge, set at the right temperature.
For consumers Wrap recommends buying loose where you can, remembering your reusable bags when shopping. Once home make sure you put fresh produce in the fridge and to use your judgment of when food with a Best Before date is good to eat.
Marcus Gover, CEO of Wrap writes that “Retailers should be working towards a largely packaging free system to enable people to buy what they need and reduce plastic packaging, unless it is evidenced to increase food waste.” “With the reality of the climate emergency all around us, this new clarity marks a key moment in our journey with partners. It shows how we can confidently achieve real progress in reducing both food waste and plastic pollution: two of the biggest environmental challenges of our lifetimes.”
We couldn’t agree more, with all that is going on in the world we mustn’t loose sight of the fight against plastic packaging. Its great that studies like this are happening and Wrap is working with its partners to fix our broken plastic systems. We hope that the supermarkets act quickly, but don’t forget about your local producers and sellers. We are spoilt in Cornwall with a wide range of options to buy fresh fruit and veg loose and without plastic packaging!
Full report: