Plastic production ‘out of control’ as UK households throw away 1.6bn pieces every week

Everyday Plastic estimates that 13 billion pieces of plastic packaging from fruit and vegetables alone is being discarded by UK households each year - (Tim Ireland/PA Wire)

UK households are throwing away an estimated 1.6 billion pieces of plastic packaging every week, according to a recent comprehensive survey.

The Big Plastic Count, organised by Everyday Plastic, involved over 68,000 individuals across the country meticulously recording their plastic waste between 9 and 15 March.