Zero Waste Shopping: How to Reduce Plastic Packaging in Your Weekly Food Shop

By now, everyone is well aware of the detrimental environmental effects that excessive plastic packaging is having, particularly within the food industry. In 2019, a staggering 896,853 tonnes of plastic packaging was produced, and though we have seen action taken to tackle this, progress is still slow. Recent research has shown that UK households are still throwing away approximately 1.7 billion pieces of plastic packaging every week, with over half being incinerated rather than recycled.

This guide will take you through some practical options as a shopper trying to reduce your food packaging consumption, from zero-waste specialist shops to mainstream supermarket initiatives and simple swaps you can make today.

The Rise of Zero-Waste Shopping

The zero-waste shopping movement has gained significant momentum in the UK over recent years. These specialist shops typically offer:

• Loose dry goods like pasta, rice, grains, and pulses
• Refillable options for liquids like oils and cleaning products
• Package-free fresh produce
• Sustainable alternatives to common household items

Customers bring their own reusable containers, jars, and bags to fill with exactly the quantity needed, eliminating unnecessary packaging completely.

Finding Zero-Waste Shops Near You

Certain produce have never been easier to buy packaging-free; for instance, almost all supermarkets now offer loose fruit and vegetables. However, when it comes to more processed products such as pasta, grains, and beverages, the packaging-free versions are a little trickier to come by. In recent years we have seen an emergence in grocery stores dedicated to zero-waste shopping, where you are asked to bring your own jars and bags to fill up with these kinds of produce.

The UK now has hundreds of dedicated zero-waste shops spread across the country. Several very useful directories can help you find those available in your area:

• The Zero Waste Directory
• Pebble Magazine’s Zero Waste Store Guide
• The Zero Waster’s Local Shop List

These shops often operate as social enterprises or small businesses with a strong community focus and educational mission. Many run workshops on sustainable living and provide information about the environmental impact of our shopping habits.

The Price Factor

Unfortunately, there is a (literal) price to pay for this, with such organic, zero-waste stores being notoriously expensive and not very accessible to those on a budget. This represents one of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption of zero-waste shopping principles.

However, some research suggests that certain items can actually be cheaper when bought package-free, particularly when you purchase only the exact quantity needed:

• Basic dry goods like oats, rice, and pasta
• Herbs and spices (significantly cheaper when bought loose)
• Some cleaning products when refilled into existing containers

Meanwhile, online zero-waste delivery services are emerging that aim to make package-free shopping more convenient and accessible, though these are still developing in terms of affordability and reach.

Supermarket Initiatives

We are, however, seeing an uptake in packaging-free initiatives from large mainstream UK supermarkets, who will be key players in the transition to a packaging-free future.

Current Progress

Major UK supermarkets have begun introducing various zero-waste initiatives:

• Waitrose has been pioneering with its ‘Unpacked Refillable Range’ and has eliminated plastic from many of its own-brand products
• Morrisons has been trialling refills for less commonly packaging-free items such as coffee, rice, and even peanut butter, while also encouraging customers to bring their own containers for meat and fish counters
• Co-op became the first UK supermarket to replace plastic bags with compostable alternatives, preventing hundreds of tonnes of single-use plastic from reaching landfills
• ASDA piloted a packaging-free aisle in its Leeds store in 2020
• Sainsbury’s has introduced ‘pre-cycle’ schemes where shoppers can leave unwanted packaging in store for recycling

A 2021 Greenpeace study summarised the progress made by the 10 biggest UK supermarkets and found Waitrose and M&S at the top of the league tables with >60% reductions in plastic packaging, while Morrisons and Tesco were at the bottom with reductions of only around 10%.

Effectiveness and Limitations

Despite these initiatives, progress remains slow. As part of the UK Plastics Pact, supermarkets promised to make all their packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025, but recent surveys indicate they are far from reaching this goal.

Many environmentalists argue that current supermarket efforts focus too heavily on recycling rather than reducing or eliminating packaging altogether. True progress will require more widespread adoption of refill stations and packaging-free options across all major retailers.

Challenging Products: When Zero-Waste Is Hard

Certain food products which are staples in a lot of people’s diets provide particular challenges in this domain and do not have packaging-free alternatives due to issues such as logistics, safety, or hygiene.

The Crisp Packet Problem

Even worse, in some cases, the requirements for the packaging means that it cannot be recycled. For instance, nearly all crisp packets are lined with metallised plastic film in order to extend shelf life, but due to the inseparable nature of these materials, they cannot be recycled at home.

Solutions for Hard-to-Recycle Items

Initiatives such as Terracycle are providing recycling schemes to dispose of these difficult-to-recycle materials, and there are brilliant resources such as RecycleNow’s directory informing consumers what items can and cannot be recycled based on location within the UK.

Some innovative companies are also developing new packaging materials that offer the same protective properties but are biodegradable or more easily recyclable. However, these alternatives are still in the early stages of widespread adoption.

Practical Steps for Everyday Shopping

Here are some practical steps any shopper can take to reduce packaging waste, regardless of budget or location:

1. Essential Zero-Waste Shopping Kit

• Reusable shopping bags (keep some in your car or by the front door)
• Produce bags for loose fruits and vegetables
• Glass jars or containers for deli counters, butchers, or refill stations
• Reusable bottles for liquids

2. Shopping Habits to Adopt

• Plan meals to reduce food waste
• Buy loose produce rather than pre-packaged whenever possible
• Choose larger packages rather than individually wrapped portions
• Prioritize products in recyclable packaging (glass, paper, metal) over plastic
• Shop at local markets where produce is often sold without packaging
• Look for concentrated products (like cleaning supplies) that use less packaging

3. Starting Small

If zero-waste shopping feels overwhelming, start with these simple swaps:

• Replace plastic shopping bags with reusable ones
• Swap plastic produce bags for reusable mesh bags
• Buy loose fruit and vegetables instead of pre-packaged
• Choose pasta, rice, and grains in cardboard boxes rather than plastic
• Opt for glass bottles instead of plastic when possible
• Use refill stations for cleaning products when available

The Bigger Picture: Corporate Responsibility

The resources provided in this post facilitate steps towards being more conscious about food packaging waste as a consumer. Though this is a vital part of transitioning towards zero waste, it is undeniable that the responsibility lies predominantly with the multi-billion supermarket corporations that supply around 85% of the food we eat.

It is important for us, the consumers, to put pressure on and demand better from them – sustainable consumption should not be an expensive luxury! Consumer pressure has already led to significant changes in how companies approach packaging, and continued advocacy is essential.

You can make your voice heard through:

• Providing feedback directly to supermarkets
• Supporting petitions for plastic reduction
• Using social media to highlight excessive packaging
• Choosing to shop at retailers making genuine efforts to reduce waste

Here is a Greenpeace petition telling UK supermarkets to cut back throwaway plastic to start you off: Supermarket Waste Petition.

Looking Forward

The zero-waste shopping movement is still developing in the UK. While dedicated zero-waste shops offer the most comprehensive solution, mainstream retailers are beginning to respond to consumer demand for less packaging.

With continued pressure from environmentally conscious shoppers, innovative packaging alternatives, and stronger government policies, we can hope to see significant reductions in food packaging waste in the coming years.

Every small change in shopping habits contributes to the bigger picture of waste reduction. By making conscious choices about how and where we shop, we can collectively drive the movement towards truly sustainable food retail.

What changes will you make to your shopping routine this week?