UK Supermarkets Drowning in Unnecessary Plastic Packaging

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DS Smith's new report shows that UK supermarkets are unnecessarily creating 29.8 billion pieces of plastic each year
A new study commissioned by sustainable packaging company DS Smith has found that more than half of UK food products use unnecessary plastic packaging

You don't need to be an expert to know the UK has a problem with plastic consumption. 

Sustainable packaging company DS Smith's Material Change Index highlights the extent of plastic overuse in major UK supermarkets, as well as the challenges faced by manufacturers and retailers in reducing their environmental impact.

The analysis, which examined 1,500 supermarket products across six European countries, found that 51% of food and drink items in UK stores are packaged in plastic that could be safely substituted with more sustainable alternatives.

This is equivalent to 29.8 billion pieces of avoidable plastic waste annually in the UK alone.

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Which products are the main offenders?

DS Smith's study finds that processed foods are the worst offenders, with 90% of ready meals and meal kits wrapped in plastic.

Other high-plastic categories include bread, rice and cereals (89%), dairy products (83%) and meat and fish (80%).

These figures paint a troubling picture of the food industry's reliance on plastic, particularly for items with shorter shelf lives.

A diagnosis of Britain's plastic addiction, using findings from The Material Change Index | Credit: DS Smith

How does the UK compare to the rest of Europe?

Comparing the UK to its European counterparts, the research reveals that British supermarkets are the most plastic-dependent.

A whopping 70% of food and drink items on UK shelves contain plastic, surpassing Spain (67%), Italy and Germany (both 66%), Poland (62%) and France (59%).

This disparity raises questions about the effectiveness of the UK's plastic reduction strategies compared to those of its neighbours.

Plastic waste: Urgency, apathy and excuses

Despite widespread commitments to reduce plastic use, with 98% of surveyed food manufacturers and retailers claiming to have such goals, progress has been slow.

A quarter of companies in the sector admit to being off track with their packaging targets, most of which are set for 2026.

This leaves a narrow two-year window for significant action.

Unfortunately, the food industry faces several barriers in its transition away from plastic packaging. Cost is a primary concern, with 40% of the survey's respondents citing the expense of raw materials for alternative packaging as the single biggest obstacle.

Close behind is the fear of consumer backlash, with 39% worried about shoppers' reactions to changes in packaging.

A breakdown of how the UK's groceries are packaged, plus what's being wasted | Credit: DS Smith

Consumer concerns: how do companies expect their customers to act?

Flippancy aside, these concerns are not unfounded.

The DS Smith survey reveals that 72% of food manufacturers and retailers believe consumers would be unwilling to pay extra for sustainable packaging.

Additionally, 65% think customers would resist sacrificing convenience for sustainability. This perceived tension between environmental responsibility and consumer preferences presents a real challenge for the industry.

While there are cheap, unsustainable products on the market, there's a concern that the expensive, sustainable ones will be left on the shelf.

The DS Smith report offers fascinating insights into what food companies perceive as barriers to sustainability | Credit: DS Smith

Calls for top-down directives

Miles Roberts, Group CEO of DS Smith, emphasises the need for more robust government action. He says: "Good progress has been made but there is evidently a great deal more to do.

"We think the government can and should be more demanding of us all — phasing out certain plastics to help create a level playing field that encourages innovation, investment and generates healthy competition to replace plastic."

Roberts also highlights his own company's efforts in plastic reduction: "With some of the biggest brands in the world we estimate that we have been able to replace more than one billion pieces of plastic over the last four years, but it is the tip of the iceberg and we must do more."

Miles Roberts, Group CEO of DS Smith, the commissioners of this report | Credit: DS Smith

Some hope on the horizon?

The findings of the Material Change Index come at a crucial time as the UK government prepares to release its Circular Economy Strategy and Zero Waste Roadmap.

Industry leaders hope this will provide some much needed support for more readily recyclable materials and accelerate the transition away from unnecessary plastic packaging.

As the clock ticks towards the country's 2026 targets, the pressure is mounting on the food and drink industry to innovate and adapt.

The challenge lies not only in developing sustainable packaging solutions but also in convincing consumers of their value. With 29.8 billion pieces of avoidable plastic at stake annually, the need for swift and decisive action has never, ever been clearer.

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