AIBU to wish supermarkets would do more to stop plastic waste?

[2Earlgreysplease]

I cannot believe how slow, Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsburys, etc etc are to banish plastic from their shelves. What is taking them so long? Why is all the toilet paper wrapped in clear plastic not paper as it once was? Why are fruit and veg still swathed in polythene, why is fresh cheese/fish still wrapped in plastic when paper would work just as well? Why are they still using black plastic trays? Why don't they put pressure on their suppliers to use alternatives? Shoppers would surely welcome this? Alternatives are out there but consumers do not get enough choice in the supermarkets. I know there have been some good steps forward but on the whole, I'm frustrated by their pathetically slow response - just not good enough!

It's not that black and white though.

Plastic can actually prolong the life of perishable foods, thereby reducing food waste. Also, plastic takes less energy to produce than paper.

Plastic bottles and bags were originally introduced as a eco friendly option. Plastic bottles are lighter than glass and therefore use less energy to transport. Plastic bags can be reused more easily than paper bags and take less energy to produce.

Sensible levels of plastic when recycled or disposed of properly (especially where there are waste to energy plants) are less of a profit the environment that massive overconsumption.

We occasionally visit a refill shop if I'm in the area and need lots, but a trip in the car for one thing (there are none in walking distance) is worse than a couple of plastic packages IMO.

I know it's not that black and white or that easy, but there are definitely things that could be done that aren't being done - at least the plastic that's used could be recyclable or compostable. I'm absolutely no expert but I do feel that shoppers would be on board with schemes that helped reduce waste.

I'm not sure how on board shoppers would be though. I don't think a lot of people give a shit about reducing their own plastic waste. We've got neighbours who never use their recycling bins, and look at the continued consumption of plastic bottles of water. I noticed an advert a few months ago for a soup in a microwaveable plastic bowl. So now consumers are too lazy / in need of 'convenience' to open a tin and pour soup into a bowl? I thought things might be improving, but if there's a market for that kind of thing?

A lot of packaging from food and the like can be recycled in supermarket plastic recycling bins. They’re often labelled for plastic bags and it was only recently I found out that you can put other plastic in there. Like dry cleaning bags. The recyclenow website has details.

For the deli counter you can take in your own containers.

A lot of the packaging is necessary for shipment and handling purposes.

Waitrose do compostible bags for lose fruit and veg and Sainsbury’s have started selling reusable net bags for produce.

Another thing is that shoppers would not necessarily welcome some of your suggestions if the price goes up and suppliers wouldn’t want to be uncompetitive either. Industry wide initiatives could work.

Pasta is now being sold in cardboard boxes instead of plastic bags.
Sainsburys no longer have plastic bags for loose produce.
You can take your own tubs to the deli counter.
One supermarket is introducing dispensers for stuff like washing powder.

I feel lots of progress has been made recently.

The black plastic trays drive me mad. It wouldn’t make a single bit of difference to the item or affect the number of people who buy it but clear or white trays would enable them to be recycled. Pre-packed packages of fruit as well. How hard is it to pick five bananas from the shelf or six apples or a handful of carrots? If I want a different quantity, I need to buy loose. Wrapping up a set amount of fruit and veg items only generates needless rubbish.

Yes

I mainly buy lunch from M&S and there is a staggering amount of plastic rubbish after. Eg plastic box of fruit, plastic box of salad/pasta or sandwiches, drink, sometimes a snack etc. I do feel guilty thinking about it.

Because overhauling the supply chain of a multi million pound business is not something that can be done overnight. Just because we haven't seen what you perceive to be 'enough' yet doesn't mean it isn't going on behind the scenes. And there is plenty that has been done already.

Changing packaging of fresh produce will alter the life span and have knock on impacts to supply.

Products like meat and fish can't be wrapped in paper for food safety reasons. Cross contamination risk etc.

If supermarkets ditched plastic overnight, fresh produce prices would go up, and product quality/lifespan would go down and the majority of customers are not willing to accept that.

Marks and Spencer made a big song and dance a few years ago about "There is no Plan(et) B" and yet they're some of the worst offenders for selling overpackaged crap in my opinion.

Some of the drink could companies really annoy me. They put a plastic film label on the bottles that isn't recyclable and if left on the bottle, stop the rest of it from being recycled too. Why can't they use paper or just print straight onto the bottle?

Iceland tried paper bags but went back to plastic. Because freezer/wet food made the paper bags wet and disintegrate.