New figures released today by the Local Government Association claim that the five million tonnes of packaging waste arising in household bins every year will cost the taxpayer 4.8 billion over the next six years in disposal fees.
– Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, LGA
The LGA is calling on all manufacturers of food, electrical appliances and cosmetics to cut down on excess packaging – both to save on council tax bills as well as helping the environment.
Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, chairman of the LGA, said: “Councils are working hard with people to increase recycling but residents can feel their efforts are being undermined when the amount of packaging in their shopping is constantly increasing.
“People are deeply concerned about needlessly over packaged products. It is up manufacturers, supermarkets and local councils to work together in responding to public concern about waste and packaging,” he added.
Councils
Individual councils are also urging action from householders to shop those manufacturers using too much packaging to sell their products.
Councils including Worcestershire and Hampshire are now telling their residents that as well as recycling their packaging waste, going to trading standards to force companies to reduce their packaging usage is another way to help the environment.
Cllr Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire county council said: “The only way to truly manage waste is to leave behind out throwaway culture and say 'no' to excess packaging. Trading Standards can help protect consumers who want to reduce waste by enforcing the law that limits the use of packaging.”
Trading standards officers can take companies to court for using too much packaging to sell their goods. Under the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations, a manufacturer found guilty of using excess packaging on just a single item faces a fine of up to 5,000.
The law requires packaging to be manufactured so that its “volume and weight is limited to the minimum adequate amount to maintain the necessary level of safety, hygiene and acceptance of the packed product for the consumer”.
Prosecutions
Although the number of actual prosecutions for over-packaging has been relatively small so far, councils are now publicising details of how residents can contact their local trading standards officers about any concerns.
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Jenny Way, a trading standards officer for Worcestershire county council said: “Businesses have to ensure that goods reach the customer in acceptable condition and well-designed packaging helps them to achieve this. However, businesses can and must ensure that they do not use any unnecessary packaging.
“Trading standards regularly monitors packaging used, and prosecutions have been brought over packaged goods,” she said.
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