We are calling for all UK supermarkets to remove plastic packaging from five fruit & veg products so shoppers can #ChooseLoose.

 

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Potatoes, apples, bananas, carrots and onions are the top five most wasted fruit & veg products in UK households. Over a one-year period, it is estimated that selling these five items loose (unpackaged) would:

  • Prevent an estimated 1.7 billion pieces of plastic packaging could be prevented from being thrown away.

  • Avoid more than 77,000 tonnes of uneaten food by allowing people to buy what they need.

  • Save shoppers a combined total of over £85m in wasted food

Removing plastic packaging from these five fruit & veg products is not only a simple, effective and proven way to reduce the effects of the plastic problem, but it can also cut food waste and save us money.

Right now, the industry still argues that plastic packaging protects our food in transit, extends freshness, prevents spoilage and reduces waste. Something doesn’t add up…

In 2022, a report by WRAP recommended that UK supermarkets “sell uncut fresh fruit & veg loose unless there is a compelling reason not to”. Despite strong evidence and retailers’ commitment to reducing their plastic footprint, none of them has taken action. Between 2004 and 2015, food waste in European households almost doubled while plastic packaging increased by 25%. This is no coincidence.

Our European neighbours are taking steps. Back in January 2022, France banned 30 fruits and vegetables from being wrapped in plastic packaging. This year, Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg will join them. It’s time for the UK to do the same.


Potatoes. Apples. Bananas. Carrots. Onions

Have you ever had to throw out a bag of sprouting potatoes or onions? Have your carrots, bananas or apples gone a bit bendy, over-ripe or wrinkly before you’ve got around to using them?

Well, you’re not alone. These five fruits and vegetables are the most wasted fresh products in UK homes.


Why should you support this?

The benefits of selling these five fruit & veg products loose are huge. Over a one-year period, removing plastic packaging from potatoes, apples, bananas, carrots and onions could…

  • Remove an estimated 1.7 billion pieces of plastic.

  • Prevent 77,000 tonnes of household food waste.

  • Save shoppers a combined total of over £85m in uneaten food

  • Stop 25,000 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted.

  • Help to demonstrate that a low-waste business model is possible, promoting more responsible consumption and a shift away from our throwaway culture.

But what does #ChooseLoose mean for you? You could…

  • Choose your own – decide on the size and condition of your fruit & veg to meet your personal requirements or standards – big or small, muddy or clean, straight or wonky.

  • Choose how many – by buying the exact quantity of fruit & veg you need, you will save money and prevent food waste.

  • Choose loose – reduce the unnecessary, often hard-to-recycle, plastic packaging waste that just ends up in the bin.

 
 

Why is this so important?

 
 

How will we use your voice?

Removing plastic packaging from fruit & veg products is a big and complex task. Supermarkets have made voluntary commitments to eliminate plastic packaging from fresh produce through the Plastics Pact, but they are not acting fast or urgently enough. 

By signing your name, you’ll help us to prove that loose fruit & veg is not only what we need, but also what we want. Alongside our partners at City To Sea, we’ll deliver the signatures to supermarkets as evidence of public demand, and we’ll work with supermarkets to accelerate the transition to packaging-free produce.

Add your voice today – call on supermarkets to increase the availability and affordability of packaging-free fruit & veg so that all of us can #ChooseLoose.

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Tweet your supermarket

Where do you do your weekly shop? Click the logos below to tweet your supermarket and support the campaign on Twitter.


For any questions or press enquiries, please drop us a line.

Want to read up on the stats? Have you got any questions? Check out our Facts & FAQs page.


Read our response to the current salad shortage saga here


The #ChooseLoose campaign is run by Everyday Plastic and City To Sea.