Why UK Supermarkets Need to do More to Lower Plastic Overuse

It’s no secret that the UK has a plastic problem.

A recent study from sustainable packaging company DS Smith’s Material Change Index shines a spotlight on just how reliant British supermarkets are on plastic and the significant hurdles faced by both manufacturers and retailers in reducing their environmental footprint.

The findings are alarming, especially when it comes to processed foods. The study reveals that 90% of ready meals and meal kits come wrapped in plastic, making them the worst offenders in supermarkets.

Other categories aren’t far behind either—89% of bread, rice and cereals, 83% of dairy products and 80% of meat and fish are all wrapped in plastic.

These figures show how deeply plastic is embedded in the UK’s food industry, particularly for products with shorter shelf life.

UK plastic use compared to Europe

The UK’s plastic usage is not only a national concern but also a regional one.

When compared to Europe, British supermarkets emerge as the most plastic-dependent. A staggering 70% of food and drink products on UK shelves are packaged in plastic, exceeding levels in Spain (67%), Italy and Germany (66%), Poland (62%) and France (59%).

This discrepancy raises questions about the effectiveness of the UK’s strategies to reduce plastic waste compared to other European nations.

DS Smith’s analysis examined 1,500 supermarket products across six countries and found that in the UK alone, over half (51%) of food and drink items are packaged in plastic that could be substituted with more sustainable alternatives.

The result? A shocking 29.8 billion pieces of avoidable plastic waste are generated annually in the UK.

Plastic waste: challenges, excuses and urgency

Despite the growing awareness and commitment to reducing plastic usage, there’s a gap between ambition and reality.

A staggering 98% of food manufacturers and retailers claim to have plastic reduction goals in place, yet progress has been slow. In fact, a quarter of companies in the sector admit to falling behind on their packaging targets, most of which are set for 2026.

This leaves them with only two years to make significant changes.

So, what’s holding them back? Unsurprisingly, cost is the number one concern. DS Smith’s survey found that 40% of respondents cite the expense of raw materials for alternative packaging as the main obstacle.

This is closely followed by the fear of consumer backlash, with 39% of companies worried about how shoppers might react to changes in packaging.

These concerns, while genuine, are complicated by the fact that the industry is running out of time. Miles Roberts, Group CEO of DS Smith, believes the government must take a stronger stance: “Good progress has been made, but there is 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 isn’t just looking at the government. He points to DS Smith’s own efforts, saying, “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.”

Consumer concerns and potential solutions

One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is consumer behaviour. The DS Smith survey shows that 72% of food manufacturers and retailers believe customers wouldn’t be willing to pay more for sustainable packaging. Furthermore, 65% think shoppers would resist sacrificing convenience in the name of sustainability. This creates a difficult tension between what is environmentally necessary and what is financially viable.

A significant hurdle is the perception that customers might favour cheaper, less sustainable options over eco-friendly alternatives. With so much plastic still in circulation, there’s a real fear that products wrapped in expensive, sustainable packaging will simply be left on the shelves.

However, there is some hope. The findings from DS Smith’s Material Change Index are pivotal as the UK government prepares to roll out its Circular Economy Strategy and Zero Waste Roadmap.

Industry leaders hope this will provide much-needed support for alternatives to plastic and help speed up the transition to more sustainable packaging.

The food and drink industry is under pressure to innovate. With only a narrow window before 2026, the challenge lies in developing packaging solutions that are both sustainable and appealing to consumers. Roberts sums up the urgency well: “It is the tip of the iceberg and we must do more.”

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