Tory environment spokesman attacks packaging waste system

Ignoring the fact that the system was actually introduced by a previous Conservative government, Mr Green said: “On packaging, asked if the current system is satisfactory and working, I would have to say no. There are many things wrong, the system is something brought about in the wake of a directive and is almost idealism.”

And, Mr Green reported that Archie Norman – now secretary of state John Prescott’s opposition counterpart – had admitted that when he was head of ASDA the packaging regulations never reached board level.

Mr Green, who was speaking at the annual luncheon of the Industry Council on Packaging and the Environment (Incpen), commented that it was clear that the current packaging waste system does need reform. “It is very complicated, has suffered too many changes of details and data collected has been inaccurate. And, the cost of compliance could yet swing violently, when it has been low in recent years.”

But, the shadow environment minister said he could not give policy details yet about his party’s proposals, asking for anyone with ideas to improve the system to get in touch.
Turning to recycling generally, Mr Green remarked: “It is a blot on this country that we are bad at recycling. We should be much better in terms of recycling. I think it is very important that people are given the opportunity to recycle. We will introduce doorstep recycling for everyone.”