Latest news with #WasteandResourcesActionProgramme
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
New study says stop wrapping fruits and vegetables in plastic
Still using cling film or plastic wraps to keep your fruits and vegetables fresh? You might want to stop. Turns out, that 'preservation trick' is not only outdated it's actually making things worse. A new study reveals that plastic packaging doesn't extend freshness, and can even lead to faster spoilage, more waste, and long-term health risks. Whether you store produce in the fridge or on the counter, how you pack it plays a bigger role than you think. Here's what the science says, and what you should be doing instead. What the study found: Plastic means more waste, not less A major study by the UK-based Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) looked at how we store five common fruits and veggies: apples, bananas, broccoli, cucumbers, and potatoes. Over 18 months, they tested how different packaging methods and temperatures affected shelf life and food waste. Key findings from WRAP's official report : Plastic-wrapped produce did not stay fresher longer than loose produce Consumers were more likely to overbuy and throw out food sold in plastic "Best before" labels often confused people, leading to premature disposal Selling fruits and vegetables loose could save 100,000 tonnes of food and 10,300 tonnes of plastic per year in the UK alone WRAP's researchers concluded that ditching unnecessary plastic could actually slow spoilage, especially when paired with proper refrigeration and smarter labeling. The microplastic problem in plastic Still not convinced? Here's the kicker: microplastics are now being found inside fruits and vegetables. Research shows these particles enter through soil, water, and even packaging. A 2020 study published in Environmental Research revealed that plastic particles can be absorbed through plant roots and end up inside edible tissue. Another study titled A Critical Review on Microplastics in Edible Fruits and Vegetables warned that long-term exposure to plasticizers like phthalates and DEHA, often used in cling wrap, could disrupt hormones and impact reproductive health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hiranandani Fortune City: At Panvel, Mumbai: 2BHK: 1.05 Cr* Hiranandani Fortune City Enquire Now Undo So not only is the plastic wrap useless, it might also be sneaking harmful chemicals into your food. What you should do instead of using plastic Store produce loose or in breathable containers Skip the cling film. Use mesh bags, paper bags, or reusable cotton wraps. For the fridge, try breathable containers with air vents or loose lids to avoid trapping moisture. Use glass or silicone alternatives For chopped fruits or half-cut veggies, store them in glass boxes with airtight lids or beeswax wraps. These don't leach chemicals and keep food fresh longer . Don't over-wash before storing Moisture speeds up spoilage. Only rinse right before use, unless you're drying everything thoroughly first. Control ethylene Some fruits (like apples, bananas, and tomatoes) release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening. Keep them away from sensitive items like leafy greens or cucumbers. Quick comparison: Plastic vs smart storage Method Pros Cons Plastic wrap Easy to use, widely available Traps moisture, creates waste, doesn't extend freshness Glass containers Airtight, reusable, non-toxic Heavier, more expensive upfront Cotton/mesh bags Breathable, eco-friendly Can dry out produce if not monitored properly Beeswax wraps Natural, reusable, mouldable to shape Not suitable for wet or hot foods The WRAP study confirms what eco-conscious experts have warned for years: plastic wrap doesn't keep produce fresh and it might be making your food worse. From food waste to hidden toxins, there's no real win here. So next time you bring home your fruits and veggies, ditch the plastic. Store smart, eat fresh, and help reduce waste, one reusable bag at a time. Also read| 8 everyday breakfast habits that spike your insulin without you realising
Fashion Network
26-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Source Fashion in 12-month deal with WRAP to boost sustainability
Trade show Source Fashion has announced a 12-month 'strategic' collaboration with global environmental action group Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to 'drive impact and change' in the sustainability arena. The collaboration officially launches at Source Fashion's upcoming Olympia London trade show (8-10 July) where WRAP 'will play a central role in the event's thought leadership programme'. The Hyve-operated event said the association 'will extend far beyond the show floor and reinforce Source Fashion's long-term commitment to sustainability, circularity, and responsible sourcing within the global fashion industry'. It said the alliance will see WRAP embedded across Source Fashion's live and digital platforms, 'providing expert insight and leadership throughout the next 12 months'. Key highlights will include a headline debate session led by Mark Sumner, WRAP Textiles Programme lead, entitled 'If We Started All Over Again, What Would It Look Like?' The session 'will reimagine the fashion industry from the ground up, placing sustainability, circularity, and commercial viability at its centre'. It will also 'challenge traditional cost models, advocating for a shift from price-led production to value-driven retailing based on realistic sell-through potential'. The seminar programme will also feature a panel session called 'When will consumers really pay more – are consumers ready?' bringing together, Rachel Gray, Behaviour Change manager, WRAP, with moderator Anna Berry, co-founder and director Retail 100, Berni Yates, Knowledge Exchange lead CSM, and Jo Hooper, CEO and founder NRBY Clothing 'to explore one of the sector's most debated questions: are consumers truly prepared to pay more for sustainable and ethically sourced fashion?' Suzanne Ellingham, event director at Source Fashion, said: 'This is not a one-off activation—it's the start of a long term partnership focused on equipping companies with the insight they need to start to action real, measurable change. 'By working with WRAP across multiple channels, we're building a platform that not only starts conversations but supports the industry in acting on them. WRAP brings deep expertise in sustainability, and circularity, this partnership allows us to amplify that knowledge at scale.' Sumner added: 'WRAP's UK Textiles Pact is already driving change, but this union takes our expertise beyond sustainability circles to inspire more people across the sector towards Circular Living. Source Fashion is a proven platform for bold, challenging conversations so we are proud to bring our insights to these important discussions to help propel the industry. Teaming up with Source Fashion on its event and content is a natural fit - we are ready to go further, together, to influence real progress.'
Fashion United
25-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Source Fashion Joins Forces with WRAP to Drive Impact and Change
Source Fashion, the UK's leading responsible sourcing show, is proud to announce a 12-month strategic collaboration with global environmental action NGO, WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), with activations that will extend far beyond the show floor and reinforce Source Fashion's long-term commitment to sustainability, circularity, and responsible sourcing within the global fashion industry. This year-long alliance will see WRAP embedded across Source Fashion's live and digital platforms, providing expert insight and leadership throughout the next 12 months. The collaboration officially launches at Source Fashion July 2025, 8–10 July, The Grand Hall, Olympia London, where WRAP will play a central role in the event's thought leadership programme. Key highlights include a headline debate session led by Mark Sumner, WRAP Textiles Programme Lead, titled 'If We Started All Over Again, What Would It Look Like?'. The session will reimagine the fashion industry from the ground up, placing sustainability, circularity, and commercial viability at its centre. It will also challenge traditional cost models, advocating for a shift from price-led production to value-driven retailing based on realistic sell-through potential. The seminar programme will also feature a compelling panel session, 'When will consumers really pay more – are consumers ready? Bringing together, Rachel Gray, Behaviour Change Manager, WRAP with Moderator: Anna Berry, Co-Founder and Director, Retail 100, Berni Yates, Knowledge Exchange Lead CSM, Jo Hooper, CEO and Founder NRBY Clothing to explore one of the sector's most debated questions: are consumers truly prepared to pay more for sustainable and ethically sourced fashion? While surveys suggest a willingness to spend more, many brands have yet to see this reflected at the tills. This session will examine what it will really take to shift consumer behaviour, how retailers can better align price with purpose, and whether the industry is ready to meet the conscious consumer where they are—or where they're going. A Year of Actionable Insight and Digital Engagement The collaboration extends beyond the July event, delivering a full year of collaborative content and thought leadership. Beginning with the launch of an exclusive podcast featuring Mark Sumner, Source Fashion and WRAP will co-create a stream of impactful digital content, including infographics, social campaigns promoting WRAP initiatives, and expert commentary on Source Fashion's reports. Advisory Board Appointment Strengthens Long-Term Collaboration Further cementing this partnership, Mark Sumner has also joined the Source Fashion Advisory Board. A former academic and respected sustainability leader, Mark Sumner, will help shape the platform's long-term vision and ensure that sustainability remains at the heart of Source Fashion's evolution. 'This is not a one-off activation—it's the start of a long term partnership focused on equipping companies with the insight they need to start to action real, measurable change,' said Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director at Source Fashion. 'By working with WRAP across multiple channels, we're building a platform that not only starts conversations but supports the industry in acting on them. WRAP brings deep expertise in sustainability, and circularity, this partnership allows us to amplify that knowledge at scale.' Mark Sumner, Textiles Programme Lead at WRAP said, 'WRAP's collaboration with Source Fashion is about equipping more organisations to take meaningful climate action. WRAP's UK Textiles Pact is already driving change, but this union takes our expertise beyond sustainability circles to inspire more people across the sector towards Circular Living. Source Fashion is a proven platform for bold, challenging conversations so we are proud to bring our insights to these important discussions to help propel the industry. Teaming up with Source Fashion on its event and content is a natural fit - we are ready to go further, together, to influence real progress.' Credits: Mark Sumner
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Campaigners call for action on reusable packaging and cutting food waste
Campaigners and businesses are calling for the widespread adoption of reusable packaging as well as action to cut food waste across the grocery sector. Reuse experts on Tuesday released research which suggests that adopting reusable packaging for 30% of goods in the UK grocery retail sector could deliver £136 million in annual savings for producers. The packaging extended producer responsibility regulations (Perp), which came into force in January, require producers to pay for the management of packaging waste. The report, commissioned by sustainability consultants GoUnpacked, found that producers could save between £314 million and £577 milllion annually in overall system costs compared to single-use packaging, accounting for the costs of transitioning. It also suggests that shifting to reuse packaging could reduce both the products' carbon emissions and the waste from packaging materials previously used by 95%. The research was developed with input from an advisory panel made up of stakeholders such as the Environment Department (Defra), Biffa, Tesco, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap), Innovate UK, and WWF. It explored multiple product categories, such as coffee, ready meals and shower gel, using various reuse scenarios to provide an evidence-based picture of the potential impacts of reuse. A 30% reuse target was found to be achievable by converting just 18 priority product categories, using 30 standardised repackaging types. The report also outlined recommendations for industry and the Government to collaborate on a transition plan to reach the target by 2035, by co-ordinating retailers, supply chain logistics, waste management and local authorities. Rob Spencer, Co-Founder of GoUnpackaged, said: 'It's time to move on from debate and focus on the facts: Reuse works. 'Our study shows that switching just 30% of goods to reusable packaging is a huge opportunity for producers and retailers to win – environmentally, financially, and even societally, creating jobs and reducing waste. 'That's why we're calling on the industry and Government to work together and take action to move towards 30% reuse, starting now. There's no excuse to delay tackling the single-use packaging crisis any longer.' In a joint statement, the advisory panel said: 'The modelling results show, for the first time, an evidenced view of reuse working at scale in the UK for grocery retail, enabling industry and government to make insightful decisions about how to move forwards to co-create the necessary transition to reuse in the UK. 'We look forward to bringing the value chain together in June to kick-start the discussion of the next practical steps towards wide-scale reuse in the UK.' It comes after campaign group Wrap and Tesco called for urgent action to reduce global food loss and waste as part of a collaboration to tackle the issue across global supply chains through a series of initiatives. The two organisations cited the World Economic Forum, which estimates that food loss and waste also costs the global economy 936 billion US dollars (£693 billion) a year, when more than 783 million people go hungry every day, and a third of humanity faces food insecurity. Tony McElroy, Tesco's head of circularity campaigns, said: 'We remain focused on driving forward action across our entire supply chain and in collaboration with our key partners as we accelerate progress to halve our food waste.' Catherine David, chief executive of Wrap, said: 'The need to reset our global food system is imperative as our population grows and the climate changes. 'Food security will become a priority for governments as the real impacts of climate change bite harder in coming years, and tackling waste is a key step they must take.' Wrap also warned that governments are falling far short when it comes to outlining their plans to cut emissions in line with UN targets, known as nationally determined contributions. It found that just 12 of the 195 countries to attend the UN Climate Conference, Cop29, in November had committed to reducing food loss and waste in their plans.
Business Mayor
05-05-2025
- Health
- Business Mayor
Potatoes will stay fresh for up to three times longer when kept in this one place
Potatoes are a kitchen staple used in a number of plates. Whether you enjoy them as a meal on their own, baked and loaded up with your topping of choice, they can also be roasted or simply boiled to make for a tasty side. But when it comes to cooking them, you might notice that your potatoes have turned green and begun to sprout, and while this isn't necessarily dangerous, it can be unpleasant and leave you feeling sick. Leaving them in the plastic packaging they come in can in fact lead to them going bad faster. Potatoes need proper ventilation and a dry storage environment, but plastic packaging simply traps moisture, spoiling the vegetable. It's not just moisture that can spoil potatoes, but heat too, and with summer fast approaching, knowing how to keep potatoes fresh in warm weather is essential. Generally, it's advised to store potatoes in a cool place, but even if you do keep them in a shady and cooler spot in your kitchen, it can be hard to maintain this in the warmer months. Potatoes should ideally be stored in a place that doesn't reach more than 10C in order to preserve their freshness and quality, but you might want to try keeping them in a different spot in the kitchen over the warmer months. Lucia Washbrook, sales and marketing director at potato brand Nanna Tate, has shared advice on how to preserve the 'freshness and quality' of potatoes over summer, preventing any 'sprouting' and ensuring you can use them in your favourite recipes. Warm environments with a lot of light exposure can quickly spoil potatoes. To avoid this, Lucia recommends that you 'keep them in a dark place, or use a cotton or hessian storage bag that blocks the light.' Surprisingly, the sales and marketing director also shared that keeping potatoes in the vegetable section of the fridge is 'a great option during the warmer months if a cool cupboard isn't available'. Previous advice has warned against keeping potatoes in the fridge as this can cause cold-induced sweetening and increase the formation of acrylamide, a potentially harmful substance, but new research suggests otherwise. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has found that storing potatoes in the fridge below 5C can extend the shelf life of potatoes, and keep them fresh for up to three times longer. The peer-reviewed scientific research also found that storing potatoes in the fridge doesn't increase acrylamide anymore than keeping potatoes in the cupboard. With an estimated 180,000 tonnes of fresh potatoes going to waste every year according to WRAP, knowing how to store them properly can prevent unnecessary waste and help you get more out of them in the kitchen. READ SOURCE
