LIB DEMS STEP UP NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN ON EXCESS PACKAGING

The Liberal Democrat Party has reaffirmed its commitment to tackle the growing problem of waste packaging on food produce.

At the Party’s Spring Conference Lib Dem MP and member of the Environmental Audit Select Committee, Jo Swinson, joined with local North East MEP and environment champion, Fiona Hall, to stress the importance of the issue.

Commenting on the campaign, Fiona Hall said:

 “It is really important that we remember the issue of excessive packaging as we munch on our Easter eggs!

“Packaging accounts for around 5 million tonnes of waste per year. Considering total domestic waste in Britain is currently around 26 million tonnes per year, it is plain to see that packaging makes up a very significant proportion.

“This is an area of policy where doing some straightforward things could bring about some impressive results relatively quickly. Take plastic bags for instance. Supermarkets give away more than 17 billion plastic bags each year.

Jo Swinson said:

“Excessive and wasteful packaging makes absolutely no economic or environmental sense. Despite increases in recycling, domestic waste has risen by a fifth since 1997.

“The average family now spends £470 per year on packaging. Government attempts to tackle the packaging problem have been much too timid and much too slow.”

More on the Liberal Democrats’ co-ordinated campaign against excess packaging can now be found at www.scrapthispack.com.