UK supermarkets are under renewed pressure to change the way they sell everyday staples such as potatoes, bananas and apples, as experts warn that current packaging practices contribute massively to the country’s staggering food waste problem.

According to a new report by the sustainability non-profit WRAP, food waste in the UK has reached critical levels, with an estimated £17 billion worth of edible food discarded annually — the equivalent of filling Wembley Stadium eight times over. One of the key culprits? Plastic-wrapped multipacks.

Despite efforts from retailers to justify the use of plastic packaging for shelf life and hygiene, campaigners argue that it drives consumers to over-purchase, resulting in food that goes uneaten and ends up in landfills. WRAP estimates that 1,300 tonnes of potatoes, 130 tonnes of bananas and 90 tonnes of apples are wasted every day in UK households. That’s around 8.2 million potatoes, 1.1 million bananas and 1.3 million apples tossed out daily.

“Selling items loose could save 100,000 tonnes of fruit and avoid 13,000 tonnes of single-use plastic film,” said Estelle Herszenhorn, WRAP’s Head of Food System Transformation. “Helping people buy closer to their needs and improving storage information is key to reducing waste.”

The report also highlights other waste drivers, including unclear date labeling. For example, items like milk and yogurt often carry “use by” dates when “best before” would suffice — leading to premature disposal. Similarly, making smaller bread formats more accessible and affordable could reduce household waste significantly.

WRAP’s findings come as local authorities spent £500 million in 2022 managing food waste, most of which is incinerated or sent to landfill because it’s incorrectly disposed of in general waste bins. A staggering 83% of food waste ends up this way.

The packaging-versus-waste debate remains contentious. Retailers argue that plastic plays a vital role in extending shelf life. For instance, wrapping a cucumber in plastic can extend its freshness from three to 14 days. Likewise, grapes stored in sealed plastic boxes see 20% less wastage in-store.

“Packaging acts as a safety barrier against contamination and prolongs shelf life, which helps reduce food waste,” said Naomi Brandon-Bravo, a sustainability adviser at the British Retail Consortium. “Retailers are committed to reducing unnecessary and single-use packaging, with initiatives like the Plastics Pact showing collective action.”

Still, WRAP insists that shifting to loose produce, clearer labeling, and smaller package options could significantly reduce both food and plastic waste — a dual benefit for households and the environment. As the UK grapples with the cost of living crisis, enabling consumers to shop smarter and waste less could be the win-win solution campaigners have been calling for.