Energy and Environment / October 18, 2024

WRAP recommends packaging ban on uncut fresh fruit & veg

WRAP has recommended the UK Government ban all types of primary packaging on uncut fresh produce items sold in amounts less than 1.5kg.

As part of its “Removing packaging from uncut fresh produce”, WRAP is calling for a phased approach to the packaging ban, with key exemptions.

Phase 1 should be in force by 2030 to align with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) timeframes, the report says.

Reacting to the report, Rob Percival, Head of Policy (Food and Health) at The Soil Association, said: “There’s no doubt that phasing out packaging for fresh produce will be complex, and WRAP has rightly suggested a phased approach with attention given to product lines that require differentiation for the purposes of certification, but the case for action is now overwhelming.”

WRAP is also recommending a formal consultation and an economic assessment of the impact of a ban on primary packaging of whole fresh uncut produce.

What is key now is clear direction from government and consultation with the whole supply chain.

WRAP has been working with industry to increase the amount of fresh produce sold loose through “The Pathway to Selling More Uncut Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Loose” which sets out a voluntary target of ensuring 50% of uncut fruit and veg sales volumes are loose by 2030.

However, WRAP said it has identified several challenges, which means policy interventions have been raised as an important requirement for creating a “level playing field”.

WRAP partnered with cross-party think tank Policy Connect to explore the kinds of formal policy interventions that could enable industry to achieve the 2030 target.

As a result, WRAP is recommending the government consider implementing a phased approach, starting with banning primary packaging on the 21 products already identified in WRAP’s research with certain exemptions and considerations.

Ian Critchley, Managing Director at Avery Berkel, commented: “We welcome the work done by WRAP, which has highlighted 21 items that could be the front runners to wholesale change in our supermarkets.

“What is key now is clear direction from government and consultation with the whole supply chain.”