Anti-waste organisation Wrap has proposed a significant policy change, urging the government to implement a ban on plastic packaging for 21 fresh produce items in UK supermarkets, including staples like bananas and apples.
This initiative targets a transformation in consumer habits by the year 2030, as stated by Wrap’s chief executive, Harriet Lamb, who described the proposal as “one of the biggest changes in the retail landscape in a while.”
Statistics underpinning the proposal reveal that UK households discard approximately 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging each year. Furthermore, around 30% of fresh produce purchased ends up wasted. Wrap believes that a ban on plastic packaging would serve as the most effective solution to break this cycle of waste.
The charity estimates that implementing this ban on selected items, particularly those sold in quantities less than 1.5kg, could prevent 100,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables from becoming waste annually while also reducing single-use plastic film by 13,000 tonnes.
The UK is not pioneering this initiative alone. France has already enacted similar laws, effectively setting a benchmark for others to consider. The 21 items identified for the proposed ban range from apples and bananas to tomatoes and potatoes, encapsulating a broad spectrum of everyday groceries.
The UK Plastics Pact, another initiative spearheaded by Wrap, aims for half of all uncut fruits and vegetables to be sold loose by the end of the decade. However, progress has been gradual, with only 19.4% of fresh produce being sold loose in 2022.
As the dialogue on environmental sustainability intensifies, Wrap’s proposal potentially marks a pivotal movement in reshaping the UK’s retail practices, nudging both consumers and retailers towards more sustainable choices.
