Bid to cut waste
MP Jo Swinson has launched a campaign to get supermarkets and other shops to cut down on unnecessary packaging.
The East Dunbartonshire MP presented a bill at the Westminster Parliament last week calling for an end to products being 'over-packaged'.
She also wants to make sure shoppers are not footing the bill for unwanted boxes and wrapping.
Ms Swinson's Packaging (Reduction) Bill would see a national body set up to promote and enforce packaging reduction, as well improve existing regulations. Customers would also be able to recycle packaging in supermarkets.
She said: "It is clear from the huge support I have had for my campaign that excessive and wasteful packaging is a real bugbear for a lot of people.
"Families now spend an average of 470 a year on packaging. It makes no environmental sense to over-package products and no economic sense to charge frustrated consumers for packaging they don't need.
However, Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) director Fiona Moriarty said: "No one adds packaging for its own sake.
"Retailers and manufacturers recognise their environmental responsibilities and have a strong financial incentive to use no more than necessary, at the same time they are making big efforts to innovate and boost recycling."
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Sunday 05 February 2012
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