Brits Waste 3.2 Billion Bananas Annually

A new study by Aldi has revealed that bananas are the most commonly discarded fresh food in the UK, with Brits wasting an astonishing 3.2 billion bananas every year. This equates to an average of 115 bananas per household annually across the UK’s 28.4 million households.

The research highlights a gap between good intentions and reality when it comes to eating healthily. While a third (32%) of respondents claim they aim to consume more fruits, vegetables, and salads, over half (54%) admit to discarding an average of nine fresh food items weekly. This waste amounts to £468 per household each year.

Tomatoes and potatoes follow closely behind bananas as the next most wasted items, with Brits throwing away 2.8 billion of each annually (99 per household). Carrots are also high on the list, with 2.6 billion wasted yearly (94 per household).

More than half (56%) of those surveyed said they often forget about the fresh food they’ve purchased, leading to significant waste. Salad is a particular issue, with nearly a quarter (24%) admitting they can only use half a bag before it goes off. A lack of knowledge on proper food storage contributes to the problem, as 57% of respondents said they are unclear on how to store food to maximize its freshness.

The BIG GRO system on the roof at Boston University. Picture by Dr. Sarabeth Buckley, published via Interesting Engineering.

Food waste expert and author Kate Hall

Simple Changes Can Reduce Waste

Food waste expert and author Kate Hall, who partnered with Aldi to address the issue, explained that small changes can make a big difference. “Food waste is a major issue for many households across the UK, wasting both our time and money,” she said.

“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 eat the food we’ve worked hard to pay for.”

For instance, only 30% of respondents knew that buying green bananas helps them last longer, and just 29% were aware that tomatoes are best stored on the counter rather than in the fridge.

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, emphasized the supermarket’s commitment to customer satisfaction. “If customers aren’t satisfied with their purchase, they are welcome to return fresh fruit and vegetables for a full refund,” she stated.

MOST THROWN AWAY FRESH FOODS…

114 bananas per year, per household (3.2 billion)
99 tomatoes (2.8 billion
99 potatoes (2.8 billion)
94 carrots (2.6 billion)
88 apples (2.4 billion)
88 oranges (2.4 billion)
88 mushrooms (2.4 billion)
88 satsumas and easy peelers (2.4 billion)
83 onions (2.3 billion)
83 peppers (2.3 billion)

Brits are ashamed of the food they waste, throwing out £520 worth per year.

Families and Age Groups Face Unique Challenges

Families appear to struggle the most with minimizing food waste, with 28% of those surveyed agreeing that having a family makes it harder to avoid waste.

Interestingly, 55% of respondents aged 45 to 59 felt their age group is the most concerned about reducing food waste compared to other generations.

The findings underscore the need for greater awareness and education around food storage and consumption habits, offering a path to reducing waste and saving money in households across the UK.

Home food waste expert and author, Kate Hall, 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 as 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. To make a return, customers must have proof of purchase and can return the item to any Aldi store.