Sandwiches bad for climate

The UK’s annual consumption of sandwiches has a greater impact on the environment than the use of eight million cars, scientists have claimed. Researchers at the University of Manchester calculated the carbon footprint of 40 different types of sandwiches — both home-made and prepackaged — taking account how the ingredients were produced, the packaging, as well as food waste discarded at home and elsewhere in the supply chain. About 11.5 billion sandwiches a year are eaten in the UK, according to the British Sandwich Association (BSA).

The study found ready-made “allday breakfast” sandwich containing egg, bacon and sausage to have the highest carbon footprint, generating 1,441g of carbon dioxide equivalent — the same as driving an average car for 12 miles (19.3km).