Take action on excess packaging
As consumers, we come across excess packaging as an everyday
occurrence. A simple trip to the supermarket results in the accumulation of vast
amounts of card, foil and plastic, much of which is disposed of as soon as we
get home. The Government’s Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) says that
families now spend £470 on packaging each year, one-sixth of their food
budget.
A recent survey by Jo Swinson MP found Easter Eggs taking up as little as 9% of the volume of their total packaging. Some consumers have even taken matters into their own hands by removing packaging and leaving it at the checkout.
The Government’s regulations on excess packaging are totally ineffective – only four firms have been successfully prosecuted under the current legislation. We need to look at ways to toughen these laws, so that producers take seriously their role in reducing excess packaging.
The commitments companies have made to reduce packaging are on a voluntary basis at present. We need to monitor the progress they make to see that these commitments are met.
We also need to empower consumers, giving them greater choice over how much excess packaging they buy, as well as making sure extra costs for producers are not simply passed on to shoppers.
The issue is gathering momentum in Parliament, with Early Day Motion 814
having attracted 112 MPs signatures, and two separate Private Members Bills
addressing excess packaging. We will seek to keep the spotlight on packaging to
highlight the ineffectiveness of Government policy.
What you can do about excess packaging?
- Lobby your MP to add their name to EDM 814. You can conctact your MP via www.writetothem.com
- Write direct to DEFRA at Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
- Contact us with your worst examples of excess packaging: swinsonj@parliament.uk
- Raise the issue with your local supermarket – ask if they will recycle your packaging for you
