waste packaging report - wave 3 - final compressed · class. a number of retailers have signed up...

war on waste

food packaging study: wave 3

War on Waste 3

Prepared for: Local Government Association

Prepared by: Angela Charlton, Claire Bassett, Eleni Romanou BMRB Social

Telephone: 020 8433 4404 Email: [email protected]

Part of BMRB Limited (British Market Research Bureau) BMRB/CB/45106324

BMRB is ISO9001:2000 and ISO 20252 accredited.

BMRB is also a member of the London Remade environment scheme and is working with the Woodland Trust to

offset the paper used in the course of our business.

Printed on 100% recycled paper

Table of Contents

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. i 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... ii 1.1 Research Background..............................................................................................ii 1.2 Research objectives and method .............................................................................iv 1.3 Structure of report.................................................................................................vi 2 Asda ............................................................................................................................... 1 2.1 Data .................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Shopping basket from ASDA ................................................................................... 3 2.3 Total waste produced by ASDA................................................................................ 3 2.4 Rubbish produced by ASDA..................................................................................... 4 2.5 Recyclable waste produced by ASDA ........................................................................ 4 3 CO-OP............................................................................................................................. 5 3.1 Data .................................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Shopping basket from Co-op................................................................................... 7 3.3 Total waste produced by Co-op ............................................................................... 7 3.4 Rubbish produced by Co-op .................................................................................... 8 3.5 Recyclable waste produced by Co-op........................................................................ 8 4 Lidl ................................................................................................................................. 9 4.1 Data .................................................................................................................... 9 4.2 Shopping basket from Lidl .....................................................................................11 4.3 Total waste produced by Lidl ..................................................................................11 4.4 Rubbish produced by Lidl.......................................................................................12 4.5 Recyclable waste produced by Lidl ..........................................................................12 5 Marks and Spencer ......................................................................................................... 13 5.1 Data ...................................................................................................................13 5.2 Shopping basket from Marks and Spencer ...............................................................15 5.3 Total waste produced by Marks and Spencer ............................................................16 5.4 Rubbish produced by Marks and Spencer.................................................................16 5.5 Recyclable waste produced by Marks and Spencer ....................................................17 6 Morrisons....................................................................................................................... 18 6.1 Data ...................................................................................................................18 6.2 Shopping basket from Morrisons.............................................................................20 6.3 Total waste produced by Morrisons .........................................................................20 6.4 Rubbish produced by Morrisons ..............................................................................21 6.5 Recyclable waste produced by Morrisons .................................................................21 7 Sainsbury’s .................................................................................................................... 22 7.1 Data ...................................................................................................................22 7.2 Shopping basket from Sainsburys...........................................................................24 7.3 Total waste produced by Sainsburys .......................................................................25 7.4 Rubbish produced by Sainsburys ............................................................................25 7.5 Recyclable waste produced by Sainsburys................................................................26 8 Tesco ............................................................................................................................ 27 8.1 Data ...................................................................................................................27 8.2 Shopping basket from Tesco ..................................................................................29 8.3 Total waste produced by Tesco...............................................................................29 8.4 Rubbish produced by Tesco....................................................................................30 8.5 Recyclable waste produced by Tesco .......................................................................30 9 Waitrose ........................................................................................................................ 31 9.1 Data ...................................................................................................................31 9.2 Shopping basket from Waitrose ..............................................................................33 9.3 Total waste produced by Waitrose ..........................................................................33 9.4 Rubbish produced by Waitrose ...............................................................................34 9.5 Recyclable waste produced by Waitrose...................................................................34 10 Indexing .................................................................................................................... 35 11 Overall Analysis .......................................................................................................... 39 12 Conclusions and recommendations ................................................................................ 41 13 Appendix.................................................................................................................... 43 Copyright: survey findings and deliverables are normally intended for use within the Client's organisation or

its consultants and other associate organisations such as advertising agencies. Should the Client intend

wider circulation of the survey findings and deliverables, the Client should inform BMRB prior to such

disclosure and agree the form and content with BMRB. The client should acknowledge BMRB as the source of

the information with wording acceptable to BMRB.

BMRB Report: 45106324 War on Waste Wave 3 i

Executive Summary

Each year the UK generates about 25 million tonnes of waste from households, a

large proportion of which ends up in landfill. Britain dumps more household waste

into landfill than most other countries in the European Union (around two-thirds

of its municipal waste goes to landfill; only Portugal and Greece put more there).

The objective of this research is to inform the Local Government Association’s

‘War on Waste’ campaign, which seeks to address the amount of rubbish

produced and the way in which it is thrown away. This study will monitor food

packaging levels in terms of amount of packaging and composition of that

packaging (for example, whether the packaging is recyclable). This report

describes the findings of the third wave of the survey.

A range of common food items (29 items), representing a regular shopping

basket were purchased from eight retailers (ASDA, Co-op, Lidl, Marks and

Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose). The addition of the Co-op

and Waitrose in this third wave of the research replaced the high street and the

Market in previous waves.

As at previous waves analysis involved recording the total weight of the product

and recording the total weight of the packaging. The component parts of the

packaging were weighed separately to measure the proportion of packaging that

was recyclable or rubbish. In addition to this any information about the packaging

given on the labels was noted. Photographs of the shopping baskets were taken

before analysis and of the piles of waste created.

• The total weight of packaging per basket ranged from 645.5 grams to 802.5

grams with an average weight of 727.0 grams.

• The proportion of waste that was recyclable ranged from 57.83% to 66.81%

with an average of 63.27%.

• The Co-op provided the most information about what packaging was made

from, with symbols on 16 of the 29 items.

• Marks and Spencer had most items labelled as having recycled content in

their packaging; four of the 29 items were in wrapping labelled as being made

from recycled materials.

• Marks and Spencer provided the most information about whether packaging

was recyclable clearly stating this on 18 of the 29 items, although the Co-op

used the mobius loop or recyclable steel symbol on 17 items.

BMRB Report: 45106324 War on Waste Wave 3 ii

1 Introduction

1.1 Research Background

Each year the UK generates about 25 million tonnes of waste from households1, a

large proportion of which ends up in landfill. Britain dumps more household waste

into landfill than most other countries in the European Union (around two-thirds

of its municipal waste goes to landfill; only Portugal and Greece put more there2).

By reducing landfill and increasing the amount of waste that is recycled,

composted or has energy recovered in some way, there is considerable scope for

reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the waste we produce3. The Defra Waste

Strategy for England 2007 proposes a vision of shared responsibility between

producers (to use more recycled materials and to design less wasteful products),

retailers (to reduce packaging and to source and market products that are less

wasteful) consumers (to generate less waste and separate products for recycling)

local authorities (to provide recycling facilities for their residents) and the waste

management industry (to invest in facilities to recycle and recover waste). One of

the two sectors identified in the Waste Strategy as a priority for further action

was the food and retail sector. This report focuses on waste from the food and

retail sector and, in particular, food packaging.

The Waste Framework Directive (WFD) currently defines waste as “any substance

or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard”. Waste

from packaging of household goods is estimated to be around 5 million tonnes

per annum4 and is predicted to continue to rise. Although some reduction in the

weight of individual items of packaging has been achieved since 1998 through the

implementation of a Packaging Directive, there is still a problem of excessive

packaging around many products. Despite improvements in levels of recovery

1 ‘Municipal Waste Management Statistics 2007/08, Statistical Release 452/08’ from the Defra website on 11 February 2009,

www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/wastats/bulletin08.htm

2 ‘Key Facts about Waste and Recycling: Municipal Waste Management in the European Union 2003’ from Defra website on 11 February 2009, www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/waste/kf/wrkf08.htm

3 Defra Waste Strategy for England 2007 from website on 11 February 2009,

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/strategy/index.htm

4 ‘Key Facts about Waste and Recycling: Recycling and Recovery from Packaging 1998-2005, England’ from Defra website on 11 February 2009, www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/waste/kf/wrkf17.htm

BMRB Report: 45106324 War on Waste Wave 3 iii

and recycling of packaging waste in recent years there is still a significant amount

(around 40 per cent5) of packaging waste that is not recycled or recovered.

Packaging makes up almost one fifth of all household waste and it is estimated

that around five million tonnes of annual household rubbish come from

packaging6. Whilst packaging is often in place to contain and protect goods from

damage, to prolong shelf-life, offer convenience or easy use, allow efficient

transport distribution, inform the consumer and help to promote goods, it also

has the potential for creating large amounts of waste.

Research by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) suggests that

consumers are becoming more aware of the packaging around the products they

buy but at the same time they are attracted by luxurious packaging and often

choose packaged goods over loose.7 Although domestic recycling rates are on the

increase, from 5.8 million tonnes in 2004/05 to nearly 8.7 million tonnes in

2007/088 even recyclable packaging still needs processing and in an ideal

situation, there would be less packaging to recycle or dispose of in the first

instance.

As part of the implementation of the Waste Strategy for England 2007, the

Government intends to amend producer responsibility regulations in order to

minimise packaging, including setting optimal packaging standards for a product

class. A number of retailers have signed up to the Courtald Commitment to

reduce household food and packaging waste, informing customers about

packaging on their labels (e.g. whether or not materials can be recycled or

composted, or whether they are biodegradable).

5 ‘Key Facts about Waste and Recycling: Recycling and Recovery from Packaging 1998-2005, England’ from Defra website on 11 February 2009, www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/waste/kf/wrkf17.htm

6 ‘Tougher laws and serious fines are needed to crackdown on excessive packaging – Local Government Association’, LGA News Release on 27 April 2007, from LGA website on 11 February 2009, www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=41791

7 ‘Consumer attitudes to packaging’ from the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment website on 11 February 2009,

www.incpen.org/pages/data/Consumerattitudestopackagingsurvey.pdf

8 ‘Municipal Waste Management Statistics 2007/08, Statistical Release 352/08’ from the Defra website on 11 February 2009,

www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/wastats/bulletin08.htm

BMRB Report: 45106324 War on Waste Wave 3 iv

1.2 Research objectives and method

The objective of this research project is to inform the Local Government

Association’s ‘War on Waste’ campaign, which seeks to address the amount of

rubbish produced and the way in which it is thrown away. This study monitors

food packaging levels in terms of amount of packaging and composition of that

packaging (for example, whether the packaging is recyclable). This report

describes the third wave of the study.

A range of common food items (29 items), representing a regular shopping

basket were purchased from eight retailers (ASDA, Co-op, Lidl, Marks and

Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose). These were purchased by

four interviewers from across England (Birmingham, Surrey, Essex and Bury) and

couriered to the research team overnight for analysis the following day.

Analysis involved recording the total weight of the product and the total weight of

the packaging. The component parts of the packaging were weighed separately to

measure the proportion of packaging that was recyclable or rubbish9.

For the purposes of this study packaging was defined as either RECYCLABLE i.e.

any material for which recycling facilities are commonly available (e.g. glass, tins,

paper, card, plastic bottles10 and Tetra Pak cartons11), or RUBBISH i.e. would have

to be thrown into the household bin, ending up in landfill. All paper and card was

considered to be potentially recyclable, although in practice if it is contaminated

with food it would become rubbish.

It was noted at this wave that many stores now provide information on their

packaging about whether items are ‘widely recyclable’ or ‘recyclable in some

areas’ using either the recycle icon or text on their packaging. “Widely Recycled”

means 65% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items, “Check

9 Salter electronic kitchen scales (model 1022) with a maximum weight of 3 kilograms measured in 1 gram intervals, and Tanita digital scales (model 1210N) with a range up to 20 grams in 0.002 gram intervals were used for analysis. 10 Plastic bottles were considered to be widely recyclable, since WRAP’s Annual Local Authorities Plastics Collection Survey 2008 showed that, of the UK's 471 local authorities, 92% now offer recycling collection facilities for plastic bottles, ranging from one or two bring sites through to comprehensive kerbside coverage. In fact, 57% of all UK homes have kerbside recycling collections that include plastic bottles.

http://www.wrap.org.uk/manufacturing/info_by_material/plastic/plastics_collection.html on 11 February 2009. 11 Tetra Pak cartons can be recycled in over eight out of ten local authority areas, either through kerbside collections or bring sites, as noted on the Tetra Pak website at www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk/tp_faqs_consumer.asp on 11 February 2009.

BMRB Report: 45106324 War on Waste Wave 3 v

locally” means 15% - 65% of people have access to recycling facilities for these

items and “Not recycled” means less than 15% of people have access to recycling

facilities for these items12.

For consistency with previous waves this information was not used to categorise

the packaging in this report, but information, where provided on the food items,

is detailed in the data tables throughout the report. Information about what the

packaging was made from was also recorded at this wave. This information has

been added in an additional column in the data tables. As at previous waves

photographs of the shopping baskets were taken before analysis and of the piles

of waste created13.

For consistency interviewers were instructed to purchase all fruit and vegetables

loose where possible, and to only buy pre-packaged goods if the item was not

otherwise available. For meat products, pre-packaged goods were requested, as

not all retailers have delicatessen facilities, so this precaution was taken as a

control to ensure a similar packaging type was purchased from each retailer for

fair comparison. A recommended weight or quantity for each item was also

specified for each item for controlled comparison of packaging weights. The

shopping list can be found in the appendix.

Shoppers were asked to purchase own brand goods where possible, and to

choose the cheapest own brand item available, although other brands were

acceptable if the item was not otherwise available. If an item from the shopping

list was not available in a particular retailer an average score based on results

from other retailers was calculated in order to prevent bias to the total weight of

packaging for that retailer.

Given the variation in the size of the products available across all retailers, the

data has also been analysed based on an index of 100g of each product (details

in chapter 10).

This report is intended as a snapshot of the current levels of packaging on

common food items and in many cases it is not strictly comparable with previous

waves due to the variation in items purchased.

12 “Recycling symbols explained” from the Recycle Now website on 11 February 2009.

http://www.recyclenow.com/why_recycling_matters/recycling_symbols

.html

13 The photographs were taken digitally with a Fujifilm S2 Pro camera using natural light. The captured picture resolution was six million pixels creating files of two to three mega-bytes per image.

BMRB Report: 45106324 War on Waste Wave 3 vi

1.3 Structure of report

Prior to this introduction is an executive summary of the findings. The main body

of the report provides a commentary on the results from each retailer, illustrated

by summary tables of the data and photographs taken during analysis. A

summary chapter and conclusions and recommendations follow. In charts and

tables ‘-’ denotes 0 and ‘*’ denotes a measurement of less than half of one, but

more than 0. All weights are shown to the nearest 0.5 grams unless otherwise

stated.

BMRB Report: 45106324 War on Waste Wave 3 1

2 Asda

2.1 Data

PACKAGING TOTAL RECYCLABLE RUBBISH

ASDA

Weight (g)

Weight (g)

% of total

Weight (g)

% of total

Information on packaging

Avocadoes * - - * 100.0% Sticky

label on each

Potatoes 4.0 - - 4.0 100.0% Plastic bag

Bananas * - - * 100.0% Sticky label

Broccoli - - - - - None

Tray Recyclable

Tomatoes 7.5 - - 7.5 100.0% Plastic

film

Cucumber 1.0 - - 1.0 100.0% Shrink wrap

Grapes 4.5 - - 4.5 100.0%

Plastic bag

Mushrooms - - - - - None

Peppers - - - - - None

Plastic box &

lid

Recyclable

Strawberries 34.5 - - 34.5 100.0% Bubble

wrap

Sausages 5.0 - - 5.0 100.0% Plastic

packet

Not currently recycled

Minced beef 19.0 - - 19.0 100.0% Plastic

tray & film,

Chicken breasts

21.0 - - 21.0 100.0% Plastic

tray & film,

Plastic tray

Check local recycling Lamb chops 15.0 - - 15.0 100.0%

Plastic film

Not currently recycled

Plastic

tray

Salmon 33.0 - - 33.0 100.0% Plastic

film


Milk 19.0 17.0 89.5% 2.0 10.5%

Plastic bottle &

lid

Sunflower spread

19.0 - - 19.0 100.0% Plastic

tub & lid & wax paper

Stilton 1.5 - - 1.5 100.0% Shrink wrap

Eggs 28.0 28.0 100.0% - - Card

board box

Pizza 47.0 - - 47.0 100.0%

Poly-styrene base, shrink wrap, plastic

bag

Sugar 8.0 8.0 100.0% - -

Paper bag

Raisins 6.0 - - 6.0 100.0% Plastic packet

Multi-pack crisps

32.5 - - 32.5 100.0% Plastic

bag & 14 foil bags

Cookies 3.0 - - 3.0 100.0% Plastic packet

Cornflakes 87.0 80.0 92.0% 7.0 8.0%

Card board box & plastic

bag

Loaf bread 7.0 - - 7.0 100.0% Plastic bag

Baked Beans

49.0 49.0 100.0% - - Tin & Lid

Widely recycled

Tea 30.5 28.0 91.8% 2.5 8.2%

Card board box & plastic

film

Jam 213.0 205.0 96.2% 8.0 3.8% Glass jar

& metal lid

• Asda clearly stated whether packaging was recyclable (in words) on five of

the 29 items; and used the mobius loop on six items.

• Five items showed what the packaging was made from.

• None of the packaging was labelled as made from recycled materials.

• The total weight of packaging from Asda was 695g. 415g was recyclable

(59.71%) and 280g was rubbish.


2.2 Shopping basket from ASDA

2.3 Total waste produced by ASDA


2.4 Rubbish produced by ASDA

2.5 Recyclable waste produced by ASDA


3 CO-OP

3.1 Data


CO-OP

Weight (g)

Weight (g)

% of total

Weight (g)

% of total

Information on packaging

Avocadoes * - - * 100.0% N/A - average

Potatoes - - - - - None


Broccoli 1.5 - - 1.5 100.0% Shrink wrap Plastic Tray

Recyclable

Tomatoes 9.5 - - 9.5 100.0%

Plastic film

Cucumber - - - - - None

Grapes 4.5 - - 4.5 100.0% Plastic zip- lock bag



Tub & lid Strawberries 19.5 - - 19.5 100.0% Bubble

wrap

Plastic Tray

Card sleeve

Sausages 26.0 9.0 34.6% 17.0 65.4%

Plastic film

Minced beef 21.5 - - 21.5 100.0% Plastic Tray, & film

Tray

Film

Chicken breasts

16.0 3.0 18.8% 13.0 81.3%

Card sleeve

Lamb chops 32.5 - - 32.5 100.0%

Plastic tray & film

Plastic Tray

Salmon 20.0 - - 20.0 100.0%

Plastic film


Milk 21.0 19.0 90.5% 2.0 9.5%

Plastic bottle & lid

Sunflower spread

18.0 - - 18.0 100.0%

Plastic tub & lid

PET Tray

Stilton

19.0

8.5

44.7%

10.5

55.3% Board Sleeve

Eggs 26.0 26.0 100.0% - - Cardboard box

Plastic film

Pizza 82.0 69.0 84.1% 13.0 15.9% Board Box

Sugar 4.0 - - 4.0 100.0%

Plastic bag

Raisins 8.0 - - 8.0 100.0% Plastic bag

Outer bag

Multi-pack crisps

41.0 - - 41.0 100.0% 14

individual bags

Cookies 2.5 - - 2.5 100.0%

Plastic packet

Cardboard box

Cornflakes 87.0 80.0 92.0% 7.0 8.0% Plastic

bag

Plastic bag

Loaf bread 6.0 - - 6.0 100.0%

Tag seal

Baked Beans

50.0 50.0 100.0% - -

Recyclable Steel

Board Cardboard box

Tea 31.5 29.0 92.1% 2.5 7.9%

Plastic film

Jam 214.0 206.0 96.3% 8.0 3.7% Glass jar and metal

lid

Take to bottle bank

• Co-op clearly stated whether packaging was recyclable (in words) on two of

the 28 items; and used the mobius loop or recyclable steel symbol on

seventeen items.

• 16 items showed what the packaging was made from.


• The total weight of packaging from Co-op was 761g. 499.5g was recyclable

(65.64%) and 261.5g was rubbish.


3.2 Shopping basket from Co-op

3.3 Total waste produced by Co-op


3.4 Rubbish produced by Co-op

3.5 Recyclable waste produced by Co-op


4 Lidl

4.1 Data


LIDL

Weight (g)

Weight (g)

% of total

Weight (g)

% of total

Information on

packaging

Avocadoes - - - - - None



Broccoli 3.0 - - 3.0 100.0% Sticky label & cling film

Tomatoes 12.0 - - 12.0 100.0%

Plastic Tray & Lid


Grapes 5.0 - - 5.0 100.0%

Plastic bag

Mushrooms 21.0 - - 21.0 100.0% Plastic tray & cling film

Peppers 4.0 - - 4.0 100.0% Plastic packet

Plastic tray & lid


Wrap

Sausages 4.0 - - 4.0 100.0% Plastic packet

Minced beef 39.0 - - 39.0 100.0% Plastic tray & film

Plastic Tray

Chicken breasts

21.5 - - 21.5 100.0% Plastic film

Plastic Tray

Lamb chops 39.0 - - 39.0 100.0% Plastic

film

Salmon 22.9 - - 22.9 100.0% N/A Average


Milk 31.0 29.0 93.5% 2.0 6.5%

Plastic Bottle & lid

Sunflower spread

19.0 - - 19.0 100.0% Plastic

tub & lid, Foil seal

Stilton 8.0 - - 8.0 100.0% Plastic

tray & cover

Eggs 27.0 27.0 100.0% - - Card

board box

Pizza 24.0 - - 24.0 100.0%

Plastic packet

Sugar 7.5 7.5 100.0% - - Paper bag


Multi-pack crisps

41.0 - - 41.0 100.0%

Outer & 12 foil bags


Card board box


bag


Baked Beans 55.0 55.0 100.0% - -

Can

Card board box

Tea 26.0 23.0 88.5% 3.0 11.5%

Foil bag

Glass jar

Jam 232.0 220.0 94.8% 12.0 5.2%

Lid

• Lidl did not clearly state whether packaging was recyclable (in words) on any

of the 28 items; but used the mobius loop on ten items.

• Seven items showed what the packaging was made from.

• Two items of the packaging were labelled as made from recycled materials.

• The total weight of packaging from Lidl was 782.5g. 452.5g was recyclable

(57.83%) and 330g was rubbish.

40

97


4.2 Shopping basket from Lidl

4.3 Total waste produced by Lidl


4.4 Rubbish produced by Lidl

4.5 Recyclable waste produced by Lidl


5 Marks and Spencer

5.1 Data


M & S

Weight (g)

Weight (g)

% of total

Weight (g)

% of total

Information on

packaging

Avocadoes * - - * 100.0% Sticky labels

Potatoes * - - * 100.0% Sticky labels

Bananas - - - - - None


Tomatoes 4.0 - - 4.0 100.0% Plastic bag


Grapes - - - - - None

Mushrooms 18.0 - - 18.0 100.0% Plastic tray & film

Peppers * - - * 100.0% Sticky labels

Plastic tray & lid,

Strawberries 26.0 - - 26.0 100.0%

Bubble wrap


Not Currently Recycled

Plastic tray


Minced beef

25.0 - - 25.0 100.0% Plastic

film Not Currently Recycled

Chicken breasts

12.0 - - 12.0 100.0% Plastic tray & film


Plastic tray

Check Local Recycling

Lamb chops

22.0 - - 22.0 100.0% Plastic

film Not Currently Recycled

Salmon 18.0 - - 18.0 100.0% Plastic tray & film


Plastic bottle

Widely Recycled

Milk 20.0 18.0 90.0% 2.0 10.0%

Plastic Lid

Plastic tub Check Local Recycling

Plastic Lid Check Local Recycling

Sunflower spread

24.0 -

-

24.0

100.0%

Foil Seal Check Local Recycling

Stilton 1.0 - - 1.0 100.0% Shrink wrap Not Currently Recycled

Eggs 25.0 25.0 100.0% - - 100% recycled paper

Cardboard box


Base Check Local Recycling

Pizza 16.0 - - 16.0 100.0% Shrink wrap Not

Currently Recycled

Sugar 7.0 7.0 100.0% - - Wax paper Check Local Recycling

Raisins 4.0 - - 4.0 100.0% Plastic bag Not Currently Recycled

Multi-pack crisps 18.0 - - 18.0 100.0%

Plastic outer bag & 6 individual bags


50% recycled plastic

Plastic Tray


Cookies

7.0 - - 7.0 100.0% Plastic packet Not

Currently Recycled

50% recycled paper

Cardboard Box

Widely Recycled

Cornflakes

94.0 86.0 91.5% 8.0 8.5% Plastic bag


Loaf bread 6.0 - - 6.0 100.0% Plastic bag Check Local Recycling

Baked Beans

58.0 58.0 100.0% - -

Recyclable steel can & lid

Widely Recycled

Cardboard box

Widely Recycled

Tea

28.0 25.0 89.3% 3.0 10.7% Foil bags Not Currently Recycled

20% recycled glass

Jar


Jam

234.0 221.0 94.4% 13.0 5.6%

Metal Lid Check Local Recycling

• Marks and Spencer clearly stated whether packaging was recyclable (in

words) on 18 of the 29 items; and used the mobius loop or recyclable steel

symbol on three items.

• Eight items showed what the packaging was made from.

• Four items of packaging were labelled as made from recycled materials.


• The total weight of packaging from Marks and Spencer was 671g. 440g was

recyclable (65.57%) and 231g was rubbish.

5.2 Shopping basket from Marks and Spencer


5.3 Total waste produced by Marks and Spencer

5.4 Rubbish produced by Marks and Spencer


5.5 Recyclable waste produced by Marks and Spencer


6 Morrisons

6.1 Data


Morrisons

Weight (g)

Weight (g)

% of total

Weight (g)

% of total

Information on

packaging

Avocadoes 1.0 - - 1.0 100.0% Sticky labels


Bananas 3.0 - - 3.0 100.0% Plastic hook


Plastic tray


Tomatoes 10.0 - - 10.0 100.0% Plastic

film Check Local Recycling


Grapes - - - - - None



Plastic tray & lid


wrap

Plastic tray

Sausages 17.0 - - 17.0 100.0%

Film Plastic

tray Not Currently Recycled

Minced beef 26.0 - - 26.0 100.0% Film Not Currently

Recycled Plastic

tray Check Local Recycling Chicken

breasts 18.0 - - 18.0 100.0%

Plastic Film


Plastic tray


Film

Plastic tray

Salmon 19.5 - - 19.5 100.0% Plastic

Film


Milk 21.0 19.0 90.5% 2.0 9.5%

Plastic bottle& lid

Plastic tub & lid

Check Local Recycling Sunflower

spread

18.5

-

-

18.5

100.0% Paper seal Not Currently

Recycled

Stilton 12.5 - - 12.5 100.0% Plastic tray & film


Cardboard box

Plastic film Pizza 76.0 66.0 86.8% 10.0 13.2% Polystyrene

base

Sugar 9.0 - - 9.0 100.0% Waxed paper bag

Raisins 6.0 - - 6.0 100.0% Plastic bag Not Currently Recycled

Outer plastic bag

Check Local Recycling Multi-pack

crisps 30.0 - - 30.0 100.0% 12 Foil

packets Not Currently Recycled



Cardboard box

Cornflakes 90.0 83.0 92.2% 7.0 7.8%

Plastic bag

Loaf bread 7.5 - - 7.5 100.0% Plastic bag Check Local Recycling

Baked Beans

51.0 51.0 100.0% - - Can Widely Recycled

Cardboard box

Widely Recycled Tea 29.0 27.0 93.1% 2.0 6.9%

Plastic film Check Local Recycling

Jam 213.0 205.0 96.2% 8.0 3.8% Glass jar & metal lid

• Morrisons clearly stated whether packaging was recyclable (in words) on ten

of the 29 items; and used the mobius loop on six items.

• Four items showed what the packaging was made from.


• The total weight of packaging from Morrisons was 749.5g. 478.5g was

recyclable (63.84%) and 271g was rubbish.


6.2 Shopping basket from Morrisons

6.3 Total waste produced by Morrisons


6.4 Rubbish produced by Morrisons

6.5 Recyclable waste produced by Morrisons


7 Sainsbury’s

7.1 Data


Sainsbury’s

Weight (g)

Weight (g)

% of total

Weight (g)

% of total

Information on

packaging

Avocadoes * - - * 100.0% Sticky label




Tomatoes 14.0 - - 14.0 100.0% 7PO250 Tray & film

Home compostable

Cucumber 2.0 - - 2.0 100.0% Shrink

wrap Return to large store to recycle

Grapes 4.0 - - 4.0 100.0%

Bag Return to large store to recycle


Peppers * - - * 100.0% Sticky label

Plastic tub, lid



wrap

Sausages 5.0 - - 5.0 100.0%

Plastic packet



tray & film

Chicken breasts

25.0 - - 25.0 100.0% Plastic

tray & film


tray & film

Plastic tray


Salmon 21.0 - - 21.0 100.0% Plastic packet



Milk 31.5 29.0 92.1% 2.5 7.9%


Sunflower spread

20.0 - - 20.0 100.0%

Plastic tub & lid


Eggs 24.0 24.0 100.0% - - 95% recycled materials

Card board box

Card base Recyclable Pizza

31.0 25.0 80.6% 6.0 19.4% Plastic film Plastic is recyclable at large stores

Sugar 8.0 8.0 100.0% - -

Paper bag


Multi-pack crisps 28.0 - - 28.0 100.0%

Outer packet & 12 Plastic packets


Cookies 2.5 - - 2.5 100.0%

Plastic packet

85% recycled board

Box


Cornflakes

91.0 84.0 92.3% 7.0 7.7%

Plastic bag Plastic is recyclable at large stores

Loaf bread 5.0 - - 5.0 100.0%

Bag Plastic is recyclable at large stores

Baked Beans 72.0 72.0 100.0% - -

Recyclable steel can & lid

Widely recycled

Cardboard Box

Tea

28.0 26.0 92.9% 2.0 7.1%

Plastic film

Glass jar Jam

214.0 206.0 96.3% 8.0 3.7%

Steel lid Recyclable

• Sainsbury’s clearly stated whether packaging was recyclable (in words) on

12 of the 29 items; and used the mobius loop or recyclable steel symbol on

thirteen items.

• 14 items showed what the packaging was made from.

• On two items the packaging was labelled as made from recycled materials.

• The total weight of packaging from Sainsbury’s was 709.5g. 474g was

recyclable (66.81%) and 235.5g was rubbish.


7.2 Shopping basket from Sainsburys


7.3 Total waste produced by Sainsburys

7.4 Rubbish produced by Sainsburys


7.5 Recyclable waste produced by Sainsburys


8 Tesco

8.1 Data


Tesco

Weight (g)

Weight (g)

% of total

Weight (g)

% of total

Information on

packaging

Avocadoes * - - * 100.0% Sticky label


Bananas - - - - - None


Tomatoes - - - - - None


Grapes 5.0 - - 5.0 100.0%

Plastic bag



Plastic tub

Plastic lid

Strawberries

27.0 - - 27.0 100.0% Bubble

wrap


Plastic tray

Minced beef 19.5 - - 19.5 100.0%

Plastic film

Chicken breasts

18.0 - - 18.0 100.0% Plastic tray & film

Lamb chops 23.0 - - 23.0 100.0% Plastic tray & film

Salmon 23.0 - - 23.0 100.0% Plastic tray & film


Milk 21.0 19.0 90.5% 2.0 9.5%


Widely Recycled

Sunflower spread 20.0 - - 20.0 100.0%

Plastic tub & lid


Eggs 27.0 27.0 100.0% - - 100% recycled board

Card board box

Polystyrene base

Shrink wrap

Pizza

27.0 11.0 40.7% 16.0 59.3%

Cardboard sleeve

Sugar 3.5 - - 3.5 100.0% Plastic bag


Multi-pack crisps

34.0 - - 34.0 100.0%

Outer plastic bag & 12 individual plastic bags


75% recycled board

Cardboard box

Cornflakes 87.0 80.0 92.0% 7.0 8.0%

Plastic bag Loaf bread 6.5 - - 6.5 100.0% Plastic bag

Baked Beans 51.0 51.0 100.0% - - Can Widely Recycled

Tea 24.5 23.0 93.9% 1.5 6.1% Cardboard

box & plastic film

Jam 214.0 206.0 96.3% 8.0 3.7% Glass Recyclable

• Tesco clearly stated whether packaging was recyclable (in words) on three

of the 29 items; and used the mobius loop on six items.

• Seven items showed what the packaging was made from.

• On two items the packaging was labelled as made from recycled materials.

• The total weight of packaging from Tesco was 645.5g. 417g was recyclable

(64.6%) and 228.5g was rubbish.


8.2 Shopping basket from Tesco

8.3 Total waste produced by Tesco


8.4 Rubbish produced by Tesco

8.5 Recyclable waste produced by Tesco


9 Waitrose

9.1 Data


Waitrose

Weight (g)

Weight (g)

% of total

Weight (g)

% of total

Information on

packaging

Avocadoes - - - - - None

Potatoes 5.0 - - 5.0 100.0% Plastic bag

Recyclable


Broccoli 3.0 - - 3.0 100.0% Shrink wrap

Recyclable

Tomatoes 18.0 - - 18.0 100.0%

Plastic tray & film

Recyclable


Grapes 5.0 - - 5.0 100.0% Plastic bag

Mushrooms 15.0 - - 15.0 100.0%

Plastic tub and cling film

Recyclable


Strawberries 25.0 - - 25.0 100.0%

Plastic tub & lid & bubble wrap

Recyclable



tray & film

Chicken breasts

24.0 - - 24.0 100.0%

Plastic tray, & film

Plastic tray, & film

Recyclable

Lamb chops 31.0 - - 31.0 100.0%

Card sleeve

Recyclable

Salmon 26.0 - - 26.0 100.0% Plastic

tray, & film


Milk 23.0 21.0 91.3% 2.0 8.7%


Plastic tub and lid,

Sunflower spread

27.0

-

-

27.0

100.0%

Paper seal

Stilton 8.0 - - 8.0 100.0% Wax

paper & cling film


Card disc Recyclable Pizza 89.5 83.0 92.7% 6.5 7.3% Shrink

wrap

Sugar 5.0 - - 5.0 100.0% Plastic packet

Raisins 6.0 - - 6.0 100.0% Plastic packet

Multi-pack crisps

41.0 - - 41.0 100.0% Foil outer

bag & 12 individual bags


Cardboard box

Recyclable


bag Recyclable


Recyclable

Baked Beans

51.0 51.0 100.0% - - Can Recyclable

Cardboard box

Recyclable Tea 28.0 25.0 89.3% 3.0 10.7%

Foil bags Glass jar Recyclable Jam 211.0 203.0 96.2% 8.0 3.8% Lid Recyclable

• Waitrose clearly stated whether packaging was recyclable (in words) on 12

of the 29 items; and used the mobius loop on eight items.

• Four items showed what the packaging was made from.


• The total weight of packaging from Waitrose was 802.5g. 499g was

recyclable (62.18%) and 303.5g was rubbish.


9.2 Shopping basket from Waitrose

9.3 Total waste produced by Waitrose


9.4 Rubbish produced by Waitrose

9.5 Recyclable waste produced by Waitrose


10 Indexing

When shoppers visit the eight retailers it is often not possible to buy exactly the

quantity requested on the shopping list provided, therefore the product size

analysed can vary. For this reason at the third wave a separate evaluation has been

completed to take into account the variation in product size by creating an index of

the amount of waste produced by 100g of product.

This chapter will focus on products where there was a large difference between the

size of product available at the retailers on the day of the third wave of shopping.

A minimum of 250g of cherry tomatoes were purchased from all retailers, although

a pack of this size was not always available.

Tomatoes Asda Co-op

Lidl M&S Morrisons Sainsburys Tesco Waitrose

Product size (g)

250 300 250 365 250 250 282 (loose)

500

Total Packaging (g)

7.5 9.5 12.0 4.0 10.0 14.0 - 18.0

Packaging per 100g product (g)

2.9 2.9 4.5 1.1 3.9 5.4 - 3.4

Tomatoes were available loose in Tesco and in a small plastic bag in Marks and

Spencer so these had the least packaging per 100g of product. In Waitrose only a

500g pack was available in a tub with a total weight of 18g however compared to

the smaller tubs for 250g, this was less packaging per 100g of product than Lidl or

Sainsbury’s, although all of Sainsbury’s packaging on the cherry tomatoes was

home compostable.

Strawberries were purchased in two sizes, 227g and 400g although 400g packs

were requested.

Strawberries

Asda Co-op

Lidl M&S Morrisons Sainsburys Tesco Waitrose

Product size (g)

400 227 227 400 227 400 400 400

Total Packaging (g) 34.5 19.5 25.0 26.0 24.0 31.0 27.0 25.0 Packaging per 100g product (g) 8.31 8.25 10.96 6.31 10.53 7.60 6.41 6.02 The index allows the packaging to be compared more fairly, and demonstrates that

although the Co-op appears to have less packaging than Waitrose at the overall


summary level, the strawberries from Waitrose have the least packaging per 100g

of product. Lidl had the most packaging per 100g of strawberries.

A minimum of 400g of sausages was requested. In the Co-op a 400g pack was

available but all other stores sold 454g packs.

Sausages Asda Co-op

Lidl M&S Morrisons Sainsbury’s Tesco Waitrose

Product size (g)

454 400 454 454 454 454 454 454

Total Packaging (g)

5.0 26.0 4.0 2.0 17.0 5.0 2.5 2.0

Packaging per 100g product (g)

1.11 6.53 0.87 0.44 3.68 1.16 0.55 0.44

Sausages were available in a small plastic packet in six of the eight retailers and all

of these had less than 1.5g of packaging per 100g of product. For the remaining

two retailers, the Co-op and Morrisons, sausages were packed in a plastic tray, and

in addition the Co-op used a cardboard sleeve to provide the product information,

increasing the amount of packaging on the sausages to 6.53g of packaging per

100g of product.

Although 250g of chicken was requested, pack size again varied greatly between

the retailers.

Chicken Asda Co-op


Product size (g)

628 250 400 257 320 300 298 348

Total Packaging (g) 21.0 16.0 21.5 12.0 18.0 25.0 18.0 24.0 Packaging per 100g product (g) 3.35 6.43 5.24 4.58 5.29 8.12 5.96 6.86 All retailers used a similar packaging format consisting of a plastic tray with a

plastic seal covering. Asda and Marks and Spencer had the least packaging per

100g of chicken whilst Sainsbury’s had the most.


A minimum of 200g of lamb was requested but there was great variation in the

pack size bought.

Lamb Asda Co-op


Product size (g)

224 450 400 552 206 218 420 420

Total Packaging (g) 15.0 32.5 39.0 22.0 37.0 22.0 23.0 31.0 Packaging per 100g product (g) 6.58 7.33 10.16 3.96 18.05 10.23 5.48 7.36 Lamb varied in pack size from 206g to 552g, while the packaging ranged from 15g

at Asda to 39g at Lidl. The index shows that per 100g of product, Marks and

Spencer had the least packaging for the lamb chops compared to other retailers.

A 12” pizza was requested from all retailers, but the labelled weight of the pizza

given on the packaging ranged from 265g to 772g.

Pizza Asda Co-op


Product size (g)

772 350 430 365 300 509 345 265

Total Packaging (g) 47.0 82.0 24.0 16.0 76.0 31.0 27.0 89.5 Packaging per 100g product (g) 5.15 22.84 5.88 4.26 23.86 6.03 6.87 30.08 The total weight of packaging also had a wide range from 16g at Marks and

Spencer (a tray covered with film) to 89.5g at Waitrose (card base and shrink

wrap). Waitrose also had the most packaging per 100g of product at 30g of

packaging per 100g of pizza.


125g Stilton was requested, although the quantity received ranged from 100g to

220g.

Stilton Asda Co-op


Product size (g)

184 150 200 100 200 172 220 198

Total Packaging (g) 1.5 19.0 8.0 1.0 12.5 1.5 1.5 8.0 Packaging per 100g product (g) 0.82 9.74 4.00 0.96 6.27 0.87 0.60 4.02 The indexed data shows Tesco had the least packaging as the cheese was shrink-

wrapped, and Co-op the most, a plastic tray with film cover and sleeve showing the

product information.

A 12 bag multi pack of crisps was requested.

Multi Pack crisps

Asda Co-op


Product size (g)

14 pack x 25g

14 pack x 25g

12 pack x 25g

6 pack x 25g

12 pack x 25g

12 pack x 18g 12 pack x 25g

12 pack x 25g

Total Packaging (g) 32.5 41.0 41.0 18.0 30.0 28.0 34.0 41.0 Packaging per 100g product (g) 9.25 11.78 13.27 12.00 10.00 12.17 8.81 13.18 The crisps purchased varied in different size multi-packs ranging from 6 to 14

packs, comparing by 100g of product Tesco crisps had the least packaging (8.81g),

while Lidl had the most (13.27g).


11 Overall Analysis

The total weight of packaging per basket ranged from 645.5g at Tesco to 802.5g

from Waitrose, with an average weight of 727.0g.

The proportion of waste that was recyclable i.e. any material for which recycling

facilities are commonly available (e.g. glass, tins, paper, card, plastic bottles and

Tetra Pak cartons) ranged from 57.8% at Lidl to 66.8% at Sainsburys with an

average of 63.3% recyclable.

Chart 11.1 shows the weight of the total packaging in relation to the proportion that

was recyclable.

Tesco (645.5g) and Marks and Spencer (671.0g) had the least packaging at the

third wave, and both had above average proportions of recyclable packaging

(64.6% and 65.6% respectively). Sainsbury’s had the highest proportion of

recyclable packaging (66.8%) and a below average weight of packaging (709.5g).

The basket from Waitrose resulted in the largest amount of packaging at 802.5g

with only 62.2% of this ‘recyclable’. The basket from Lidl also produced a lot of

packaging (782.5g) and only 57.8% of this was recyclable. Although the Co-op also

had a relatively large amount of packaging (761.0g), a high proportion of this was

recyclable (65.6%).

Asda had among the lowest amounts of packaging (695.0g), but also among the

lowest proportions of recyclable packaging (59.7%), whilst Morrisons had a

relatively high amount of packaging (749.5g) and an average amount of recyclable

packaging (63.8%).

The Co-op provided the most information about what packaging was made from,

with symbols on 16 of the 29 items, whilst Morrisons and Waitrose provided the

least information (only 4 items each).

Marks and Spencer used recycled materials in four items of packaging (egg box,

cornflake box, cookie tray and jam jar) according to the information provided on

their labels while Lidl, Sainsbury’s and Tesco used recycled materials in the

packaging of two items (for bean tins and jam jars at Lidl, and for egg boxes and

cornflake boxes at Sainsbury’s and Tesco).

Marks and Spencer provided the most information about whether packaging was

recyclable clearly stating this on 18 of the 29 items, although the Co-op used the

mobius loop or recyclable steel symbol on 17 items.


Chart 11.1 Total weight of packaging by retailer (shown to nearest 0.5g) and

percentage of packaging that is recyclable

695

761

782.5

671

709.5

645.5

802.5

749.562.2%64.6%66.8%63.8%65.6%

57.8%

65.6%

59.7%

600

650

700

750

800

850

Asda Co-op Lidl M & S Morrisons Sainsburys Tesco Waitrose0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Total weight % recyclable


12 Conclusions

The objective of this research was to inform the Local Government Association’s

‘War on Waste’ campaign which seeks to address the amount of rubbish produced

and the way in which it is thrown away. Food was analysed from eight retailers to

address this aim. At the third wave of the study the range of proportions of

recyclable packaging ranged from 57.8% to 66.8% so there remains scope for

improvement across all retailers in terms of reducing the amount of rubbish that is

thrown away.

There has been a great improvement in labelling of products since the previous

waves, with many items showing details about whether packaging is widely

recyclable, recyclable in some areas where facilities exist, or not recyclable.

Seven of the ten fruit and vegetable items were available loose from Tesco

although one of these had sticky labels to provide information about the product

(avocadoes). Six items were available loose (some with sticky labels) from

Morrisons, Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury’s. Asda and the Co-op sold five items

loose (although only nine of the ten items were available in the Co-op), and Lidl

and Waitrose only three.

Cherry tomatoes were sold in a plastic tray in five of the eight retailers, with the

plastic labelled as “recyclable” at Asda, the Co-op and Waitrose and “check local

recycling” at Morrisons. They were available completely loose in Tesco, in a plastic

bag at Marks and Spencer and in compostable packaging from Sainsbury’s. Grapes

were pre-packaged in bags in six of the eight retailers but available loose from

Morrisons and Marks and Spencer. The bag from Sainsbury’s stated that it could be

recycled if returned to a large Sainsbury’s store. Mushrooms were available loose

from five retailers, and in plastic trays from Lidl, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.

Peppers were loose in seven retailers, but packaged in plastic at Lidl. Strawberries

were packaged in a plastic tray at all retailers although the packaging from Asda,

Sainsbury’s and Waitrose was labelled as “recyclable”.

The meat and fish products were packaged in plastics, although the Co-op also

used card labels on the packaging of the sausages and chicken breasts which was

counted as recyclable. Most provided some information about what the packaging

was made from or whether it was capable of being recycled.

At all eight retailers milk was packaged in a plastic bottle, made from high-density

polyethylene (HDPE (2)), although only Marks and Spencer and Tesco had labelled

this packaging as widely recyclable. The sunflower spread was also packaged in a

similar way (in plastic tubs) at all eight retailers, Marks and Spencer and Morrisons

advised the consumer to “check local recycling.” Stilton was shrink-wrapped at four

retailers, sold in plastic trays at three retailers and wrapped in wax paper at

Waitrose. The eggs were always available in a cardboard box but this was labelled


as made from “100% recycled paper/board” at Marks and Spencer and Tesco and

“95% recycled materials” from Sainsbury’s.

Pizza varied in its packaging from all plastics (at Asda, Lidl and Marks and

Spencer), two pizzas in cardboard boxes alongside some plastic wrapping, two on

cardboard bases with plastic wrapping, and one in plastic wrapping on a

polystyrene base with a cardboard sleeve to provide nutritional information.

Sugar was available in a plastic bag from three retailers, a paper bag from three

retailers (widely recyclable), and waxed paper bags from two retailers (Marks and

Spencer bag labelled “check local recycling”). Crisps were always packaged in

plastic and foil lined bags, these were labelled as “not recyclable” from Marks and

Spencer and Sainsbury’s and as “check local recycling” for the outer plastic bag at

Morrisons.

Cookies were packaged in a plastic packet at all retailers, labelled as ‘check local

recycling’ by Morrisons. The packaging at Marks and Spencer additionally used a

plastic tray which was made from “50% recycled plastic”. The cornflakes were

packaged in a plastic bag in a cardboard box at all retailers but the cardboard box

was made from “85% recycled board” at Sainsbury’s, “75% recycled board” at

Tesco and “50% recycled paper” at Marks and Spencer. The plastic bag was

labelled as “recyclable” at Waitrose, and “recyclable at large stores” at Sainsbury’s.

The baked bean cans were labelled as “recyclable steel” from the Co-op, Marks and

Spencer and Sainsbury’s, and labelled just as “widely recyclable” at Morrisons and

Tesco. The can from Lidl was made from 40% recycled materials. Bread was

packaged in a plastic bag at all retailers, and was labelled as “recyclable at large

Sainsbury’s stores” and “check local recycling” at Morrisons and Marks and Spencer.

Jam was always packaged in a glass jar, which in Marks and Spencer was stated as

being made from 20% recycled glass. The lid was also labelled as “check local

recycling” at Marks and Spencer, “recyclable” at Waitrose and as “recyclable steel”

at Sainsburys. The jar from Lidl was made from 97% recycled glass.

While some retailers consistently provided information about whether packaging

was recyclable, others only provided details on a few items. There is still a long way

to go for some retailers to provide sufficient information for consumers about

recycling and there is scope for improvement among all retailers in the amount of

packaging made from recycled materials.


13 Appendix


War on Waste Wave 3

INT NAME/NO ________________STORE ____________________________________________ Please purchase every item. Please buy the quantity stated and take note of MINIMUM weights Please remember to shop for OWN BRAND goods where possible. Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item. Use the instructions column for help with any substitutions. More details can be found in your instructions. Item Required weight/

quantity Instructions/substitutions COMMENTS

Avocado (loose if possible)

3 Loose if possible. Packaged is acceptable if otherwise unavailable Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Baking potatoes (loose if possible)


Bananas (loose if possible)

Bunch (minimum 5)

Loose if possible. Packaged is acceptable if otherwise unavailable Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Broccoli (loose if possible)

300g minimum Loose if possible. Packaged is acceptable if otherwise unavailable Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Cherry Tomatoes (loose if possible)

250g Loose if possible. Packaged is acceptable if otherwise unavailable. If loose, a bag provided at the counter is acceptable for this product Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Cucumber (loose if possible)

1 whole Loose if possible. Packaged is acceptable if otherwise unavailable Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item


Grapes (loose if possible)

500g Loose if possible. Packaged is acceptable if otherwise unavailable. If loose a bag provided at the counter is acceptable for this product Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Mushrooms (any type) (loose if possible)

250g Loose if possible. Packaged is acceptable if otherwise unavailable. If loose a bag provided at the counter is acceptable for this product. Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Peppers (loose if possible)


Strawberries (loose if possible)

400g Loose if possible. Packaged is acceptable if otherwise unavailable. If loose a bag provided at the counter is acceptable for this product. Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Pork sausages (prepacked)

400g minimum Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Pre packed if possible, other sausages acceptable if pork are unavailable. Loose is acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Minced Beef (prepacked)

500g Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Pre packed if possible, other mince acceptable if beef is unavailable. Loose is acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item


2 Chicken Breasts (prepacked)

250g minimum Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Pre packed if possible. Loose is acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Lamb chops (pre packed)


Fresh Salmon Fillets (prepacked) (MUST BE FRESH FILLETS NOT SMOKED/SLICES)


Fresh pizza 12" Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Semi skimmed milk

1 pint Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Sunflower spread (tub)

500g Own brand if possible. Other 500g tub margarine acceptable if sunflower spread not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Stilton 125g minimum Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Eggs 6 medium Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item


Sugar (any type) 1kg Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Raisins (FOR COOKING NOT FOR SNACKING)

500g Own brand if possible. Other dried fruit acceptable if raisins not available e.g. sultanas, currants, mixed dried fruits. These should be for cooking, if possible and not for snacking. Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Multi pack crisps (any flavour)

12 pack Any own brand. Substitute with known brand if own brand not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Choc Chip Cookies 200g minimum Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available These should be packaged like biscuits not "luxury cookies" in a bag. Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Cornflakes 500g Own brand if possible. Similar cereal acceptable if cornflakes not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Loaf of white bread SLICED

800g Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Baked Beans 1 can (400g minimum)

Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Tea 80 tea bags Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

Jam (any flavour) minimum 400g Own brand if possible. Other brand acceptable if otherwise not available Where there is a choice buy the CHEAPEST item

For further information, please contact:LGA Analysis and ResearchLocal Government House, Smith Square,London SW1P 3HZTelephone 020 7664 3000www.lga.gov.uk/research

Or telephone LGconnect for all yourlocal government queries on 020 7664 3131Fax 020 7664 3030Email [email protected]

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