A new law could change the way we shop at major supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. The proposed rule aims to end the use of pre-packed fruit and vegetables, banning plastic packaging and encouraging customers to pick up loose produce instead.
This move is expected to significantly reduce environmentally-damaging waste.
Catherine David, director of British anti-waste charity Wrap, said: “We waste 12 percent of the food that we buy, with an average household of four throwing away £1,000 of good food each year.”
She added: “This is happening because our food system is making it hard for people to buy only what they need and to use more of what they buy.”
Wrap believes that voluntary efforts by supermarkets to reduce packaging have been too slow.
Aiming to have 30 percent of fruit and veggies on shelves without packaging by next year, they received support from MP Sir Robert Goodwill.
He said: “I welcome any attempts to reduce plastic packaging of supermarket food and allow more people to buy fruit and veg loose.”
However, there have been warnings the move could see grocers hit by further costs.
A British Retail Consortium spokesperson said: “With grocers already facing very significant cost increases across the supply chain, it’s important any further regulatory burdens are proportionate.”
The statistics were alarming as research showed that food waste amounted to 12 stone per person in 2021.
While some delicate foods like soft fruits might still need plastic, thousands of tons of plastic packaging are feared to end up in landfills or be burned every year.
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