Plastic pollution is endangering and killing marine life all over the world, with 12.7 million tonnes of plastic waste pouring into the sea every year. It has become the biggest cause of fatalities for sea life, as mammals, birds and fish are ingesting plastic, or becoming tangled up in it, leading to a slow and painful death.
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An estimated 100,000 marine animals die every year as a result of becoming tangled in plastic, with the largest rubbish site on earth covering an area of 1.6 million square kilometres in the Pacific Ocean.
The Great Pacific Garbage patch is three times bigger than the whole of France. This floating garbage island is made up mainly of plastic waste, where pieces of rubbish outnumber sea life by six to one. Scientists studying the site estimate its weight to be 100,000 tonnes, which is the equivalent of around 740 Boeing 777 aircrafts.
The bottom line: something has to be done to cut down on plastic waste.
Improving supermarket sustainability
Research by environmental group Greenpeace and the Environmental Investigation Agency has revealed supermarkets are playing a significant role in producing plastic waste.
Improving supermarket sustainability has become the goal for green campaigners, as they are a major player in the tragedy of ocean plastic pollution.
Greenpeace has criticised supermarkets following its third joint study with the EIA, claiming many “talk the talk” and pledge to reduce plastic, but so far haven’t “walked the walk”.
According to the latest data, UK supermarkets alone are producing around 896,000 tonnes of plastic packaging annually - which is the weight of 90 Eiffel Towers! The study has led to a league table of supermarkets in terms of their use of plastic packaging in both shops and supply chains, with each aspect of the business coming under scrutiny.
Waitrose has topped the list for the second time as the supermarket chain doing the most to reduce plastic waste. In recent years, it has cut down its amount of plastic packaging by 60% and has engineered a 78% improvement in packaging materials used by its supply chain.
Second on the list is Aldi, where plastic packaging has been reduced by 42%.
Morrisons was bottom of the list, as the survey reported sales of water bottles and single-use plastic bags had increased, cancelling out reductions in other areas, so only a 9% overall improvement was recorded.
The survey concluded that overall, supermarkets simply weren’t doing enough to reduce plastic waste and support the zero-waste movement.
What types of plastic packaging are used?
There are several different plastics used in supermarkets including PET or polyethylene terephthalate used for fruit juice containers, soft drinks and water bottles, lids for boxes of prepared meals and cooking oil bottles.
HDPE makes milk bottles, ice-cream boxes, sachets, pouches and juice bottles; PVC makes sweets trays, cling film and seals for metal lids; LDPE is also used in cling film, pouches and sachets and for shrink wrap; polypropylene makes yogurt tubs, microwavable containers, ice-cream tubs and crisp packets; polycarbonate plastic is used in multi-material packaging.
The most commonly used plastic for packaging is PET, which breaks down into minute pieces known as microplastics. These end up in our oceans in massive numbers: scientists estimate there are 358 trillion microplastic pieces floating around.
Unfortunately, single-use plastic packaging is bad for the environment if it is not recycled.
Do consumers support recycling at supermarkets?
Research by YouGov shows 71% of consumers believe supermarkets use excess packaging and 88% think it should be made only from recyclable material: there are calls for clearer labels so customers can make an informed choice.
The research, conducted for the Local Government Association, also found 85% of consumers felt the law should require businesses to reduce excess packaging.
Further studies have found 26% of UK shoppers will avoid a brand that uses unnecessary packaging, suggesting supermarkets that don’t cut down could be losing trade.
What are the eco-friendlier alternatives?
There are many viable green alternatives to plastic, such as biodegradable packaging, which breaks down naturally without harming ecosystems or wildlife. Made from plant-based plastics, cellulose or starch, biodegradable materials will decompose over a period of several months to a few years and are suitable for cosmetics, food and other products.
Traditional paper packaging is renewable and widely available. However, while it’s biodegradable and easily recycled, it has limited uses, as it may be unsuitable for products that need airtight or more durable containers.
Glass and metal can be used to package food and drinks, as they can be recycled many times and are non-toxic. Metal is more durable than paper or glass and can be used for products that require greater protection.
Compostable packaging can be used as fertiliser after it breaks down into organic materials, as it’s made from natural materials, such as cellulose and sugarcane. A versatile and green alternative to plastic, it can be used to package a wide selection of products.
Materials such as stainless-steel containers, glass jars and cloth bags can be reused many times, reducing environmental impact and offering a cost-effective choice for consumers and businesses.
Some supermarkets have recently introduced in-store recycling bays in a bit to be more responsible.
How to reduce plastic packaging
We can do more to cut back the need for packaging, such as buying loose vegetables and fruit rather than pre-packed and taking your own reusable containers, like our 45 and 32 litre folding plastic storage crates, to the supermarket. Already very commonly used across Europe, it’s time to up our game in the UK.
Research has shown most people have at least six reusable carrier bags in their cupboard at home but forget to take them again when they go shopping. Allocating sturdy food containers instead can help you to get into a routine.