New research finds that 51 percent of UK grocery items are packaged in ‘unnecessary’ plastic that can be safely replaced by alternatives.

According to the report, this enormous load of plastics adds up to 29.8 billion avoidable pieces of plastic waste annually across the UK, highlighting the UK’s overreliance on the packaging material.

The Material Change Index, commissioned by FTSE100 sustainable packaging leader DS Smith and conducted by Retail Economics, reveals that processed foods are the biggest offenders when it comes to plastic packaging.

A staggering 90 percent of ready meals and meal kits are encased in plastic, while 89 percent of bread, rice, and cereals are similarly packaged. Dairy products aren’t far behind, with 83 percent wrapped in plastic, and meat and fish follow closely, at 80 percent.

This widespread use of plastic in everyday food items highlights just how ingrained the material has become in our shopping habits.

The index analysed food and drink products in 25 of the most popular supermarkets across six European markets: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland.

Among these, the UK emerged as the most dependent on plastic packaging, with 70 percent of food and drink items containing plastic.

The research also found that 98 percent of European food manufacturers and retailers have set targets to cut plastic packaging. However, a quarter admitted they are falling behind on these goals, with three in five facing tight deadlines of two years or less to meet their commitments.

The companies reported costs and concerns about consumer resistance as the key barriers preventing change, with 72 percent believing customers are unlikely to pay extra for sustainable options, and 65 percent they would not sacrifice convenience for sustainability.

A call for change

DS Smith is now calling on UK government to phase out unnecessary plastic and create regulation to help businesses speed up their transition away from plastic packaging.

The sustainable packaging company estimates that 84 percent of unnecessary plastic in the UK can be replaced or significantly reduced by fibre-based alternatives right now, and the company is continuing to invest in finding new solutions.

Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive at DS Smith, said: “Good progress has been made but there is evidently a great deal more to do. We think 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 replac plastic.”

He added, “The opportunity to meet consumer demand for more sustainable packaging is significant and we hope the Government’s forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy will find ways to support the use of materials that are more readily recyclable.”