Britons throw away 3.2 billion bananas each year – 115 per household – according to research.
A third of us (32 per cent) claim to have the best intentions to eat healthy fruits, vegetables and salads.
But 54 per cent admit to throwing too much of it away – nine pieces week on average, amounting to £468 a year – according to new data.
Britons discard approximately 2.8 billion tomatoes and 2.8 billion potatoes annually, making them the second most wasted fresh food items, with an average of 99 per UK household. Carrots are also among the commonly wasted foods, with 2.6 billion thrown away each year, equivalent to 94 per household.
Overall, 56 per cent of those surveyed admit that they completely forget about the healthy food they’ve bought at the supermarket.
According to a survey, 24% of respondents reveal that they only consume half a bag of salad before discarding the rest. Additionally, 57% confess that they lack proper knowledge of how and where to store food to preserve its freshness for a longer time.
Only 30% of Brits are aware that buying bananas when they are still green can extend their shelf life. Similarly, just 29% know that tomatoes should be stored on the counter rather than in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness.
Food waste expert and author, Kate Hall, has worked with Aldi to share tips to keeping fruit and veg fresh for longer. She says: ‘Food waste is a major issue for many households across the UK, wasting both our time and money.
Britons throw away 3.2 billion bananas each year – 115 per household – according to research
Most thrown away fresh foods. Source: Aldi
Only three in ten (30 per cent) of Brits know to buy bananas green to make them last longer
‘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.’
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, which commissioned the survey of 2,000 Brits, added: ‘If customers aren’t satisfied with their purchase, they are welcome to return fresh fruit and vegetables for a full refund.’
The research also found that families are struggling the most not to waste food, as 28 percent agree having a family makes it much harder to limit food waste.
Interestingly, 55 percent of the 45-59-year-olds polled believe that their age group are the most concerned about reducing food waste compared to other generations.
