'Loose' shoppers have lower bills

Shoppers have been urged to use their buying power to influence packaging

Buying loose fruit and vegetables can dramatically lower shopping bills, according to a survey carried out in East Renfrewshire.

Trading standards officials purchased identical quantities of packaged and unpackaged goods from local stores.

They found that the loose fruit and vegetables were cheaper - in some cases by up to 23%.

East Renfrewshire Council said "buying loose" would cut shopping bills and the amount of packaging sent to landfill.

Environment convener, Councillor Eddie Phillips, said: "This project shows that consumers could use their buying power to change the way that companies waste resources through excess packaging.

"They can also save themselves a bit of money in the process."