According to new research from Aldi, over half (52%) of Brits admit they are ashamed about how much fruit and veg they bin, tossing out nearly 500 pieces and wasting up to £520 a year.
On average, 53% of Brits throw out food which hasn’t even been touched, with 56% admitting that they completely forget about food they’ve bought.
Meanwhile, as the new year kick-starts healthy habits for many, the survey found that whilst a third (32%) have the best intentions to eat well, fruit, vegetables and salad still end up falling victim. It’s estimated that Brits throw away at least nine pieces of fruit and veg a week — a total of 468 a year — with over half (52%) believing they waste up to £10 every week on food that gets thrown out.
Bananas were revealed as the worst offenders, as the average household still ends up throwing away each year:
- 114 bananas
- 99 potatoes
- 94 carrots
- 88 oranges
- 88 bags of salad
- 83 onions
- 73 boxes of strawberries
- 73 cauliflowers
In addition, almost one quarter (24%) only get through half a bag of salad before having to throw it away.
46% of the 2,000 Britons polled confessed they believe that the way they store their food has something to do with how quickly it goes off. And 57% admitted they are not confident they understand exactly where and how to store food to keep it fresh for longer.
Some Brits have turned to social media for tips on how to try and keep fruit and veg fresh for longer, trying everything from hanging onions and garlic out of the window to wrapping banana stems in foil. Plus, keeping avocados and apples in water. But home food waste expert and author, Kate Hall, says some of these tips could actually be making food go off quicker. Instead, she has 10 top tips to guarantee fresh fruit and veg for longer:
- Keep it cold – If your fridge is warmer than 5°C, your food won’t last as long as it could.
- Check your drawers – Thin-skinned, high-moisture foods like salad leaves should be stored in high-humidity drawers, while thicker-skinned produce like apples should be stored in low-humidity drawers.
- Pop your potatoes in the fridge – Potatoes are best stored in the fridge which can help them last over three times longer! If you don’t have enough fridge space, keep them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area like the garage and away from onions.
- Give your leaves a helping hand – Help your bagged salad leaves last a few days longer by placing a sheet of kitchen paper into the container they are stored in to absorb any excess moisture.
- Beware of Ethylene Gas – Certain fruits and veggies like bananas, apples and tomatoes emit high levels of ethylene gas (a natural gas that’s produced as fruit ripens), which can cause your other ethylene-sensitive produce, such as berries, cherries and grapes, to ripen and ruin faster – so keep them separate!
- Don’t bin your bananas – If your bananas are already ripe and you don’t want them to ripen any more, either keep them in a sealed tub or the fridge – or hang them on a hook in a cool dry space. You can freeze slices of banana too for quick snacks and recipes.
- Always check your berries – If there is one single mouldy berry hiding away in your punnet, then microscopic spores can easily and quickly contaminate the rest. Try to only wash them before you eat so not to add more unnecessary moisture.
- Don’t pre-prep your fruit or veg – Whilst some people will swear by prepping ahead to get their daily dose of goodness, this can lead to your produce spoiling faster. To help your fruit and veg last as long as possible, keep its outer armour intact until you’re ready to eat it.
- Give your veg a drink – If you see veg going a bit ‘bendy’, try trimming the ends and submerging them in cold water. Often veg has not gone bad, it’s just dehydrated!
- Take it back – If you’re not happy with the freshness of your fruit or veg, take it back! For example, Aldi allows customers to return fresh fruit and vegetables for a full refund if they are not satisfied with their purchase as part of their Fresh Guarantee policy.
Hall said: “Food waste is a major issue for many households across the UK, wasting both our time and money. However, there are many small changes we can make that can have a big positive impact. By storing our produce differently or adopting a few simple habits, we can significantly reduce food waste, save money, and make sure we actually eat the food we’ve worked hard to pay for.”
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “At Aldi, we are proud to offer a helping hand in ensuring our shoppers have the freshest fruit and veg possible with our Fresh Guarantee. If customers aren’t satisfied with their purchase, they are welcome to return fresh fruit and vegetables for a full refund. We hope shoppers find Kate’s tips helpful and by following her advice, spot a difference in the longevity of their fruit and veg.”
To make a return, customers must have proof of purchase and can return the item to any Aldi store.
Shoppers can make the most of Aldi’s Fresh Guarantee in stores nationwide now.
