As Britain gears up for the final Bank Holiday weekend of the summer – when picnics, BBQs and picky bits are bought in bulk – new research from Too Good To Go reveals the vast amount of dip set to be wasted across the UK.
The food-waste app’s survey of 2,000 UK adults estimates that Britain’s summer al-fresco habits will result in 33,500 tonnes of dip being binned over the season. That is the equivalent of 167.7 million tubs and an estimated £217.9 million worth of food thrown away.
London, Birmingham and Leeds have been named the UK’s biggest Dip dumpers by total volume of dip wasted. London leads the way, with an estimated 29.35 million tubs of dip set to go to waste this summer – equivalent to 5,870 tonnes. Birmingham follows with 2.63 million tubs (525 tonnes), while Leeds ranks third with 1.93 million tubs (386 tonnes).
The findings suggest that overbuying is a major driver of dip waste. Nearly three in 10 Brits (29%), equivalent to around 16 million adults, admit they routinely buy more dips than they need for summer gatherings. Meanwhile, one in five (20%) say they throw away up to half of the dips they buy.
Food-safety uncertainty is also contributing to avoidable waste. Nearly two thirds of Brits (63%) say they are unsure of official guidance on leaving chilled foods out in warm weather. As a result, 15% of dip buyers say they throw dips away after just 45 minutes or less in direct sunlight.
Chelsea Kerr, managing director of Too Good To Go UK & Ireland, says: “Dips are a firm favourite for summer picnics, BBQs and gatherings, but an afternoon in the sun shouldn’t mean perfectly good food ends up in the bin. They’re the unsung heroes of ‘picky bit weather’, but too often we buy more than we need or throw away leftovers before giving them a second thought. At Too Good To Go, we want to help people make the most of the food they buy and keep good food from going to waste. Simple steps like buying what you need, serving smaller portions and keeping dips properly chilled can make a big difference – helping us enjoy summer without feeding the bin.”
Hummus has emerged as Britain’s number-one summer dip, with 21% of dip buyers naming it as their favourite. Sour Cream & Chive and Salsa follow, both selected by 11% of buyers. Together, these three varieties account for the most frequently bought dip for 43% of dip buyers.
While London generates the largest total volume of wasted dip, Birmingham has the highest estimated proportion of each tub left unconsumed, with an average of 46% going to waste. Manchester and Leicester are joint next at 40%, followed by London at 38%.
Meanwhile, Londoners lead the UK in overall dip spend at £14.40 per adult over the summer (36% above the £10.60 national average).
Dip Safely This Summer
Too Good To Go is encouraging al-fresco lovers to plan ahead ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend. Bringing a cool bag to a picnic or BBQ helps keep food chilled, preserves freshness and reduces waste.
If perishable dips have been sitting in the sun, always follow official food-safety guidance rather than relying solely on the sniff test. When dips have been kept safely chilled, make the most of leftovers rather than letting them spoil.
Leftover hummus: Turn it into a falafel and hummus wrap with warm flatbread, crispy falafel, cucumber and fresh herbs.
Leftover tzatziki: Use it as a garlic-and-herb marinade for chicken skewers, then serve the remaining dip with pitta, tomatoes and red onion.
