WRAP remit on waste minimisation too narrow, INCPEN warns

The Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment has warned that focussing work on cutting the amount of packaging waste that ends up in household bins could neglect the problem of waste being generated in the rest of the supply chain.

And, INCPEN director Jane Bickerstaffe suggested that if work is targeted specifically on packaging on retailers' shelves, it could mean more waste being produced behind the scenes.

” I know of several companies who have reduced the overall amount of packaging produced, but this has led to more on-shelf packaging. “
– Jane Bickerstaffe, INCPEN
INCPEN's comments came following this week's call to arms from WRAP for its Innovation Fund Retail Initiative (see letsrecycle.com story).

The 8 million initiative aims to cut the amount of packaging waste turning up in consumers' recycling and waste bins by 310,000 tonnes by March 2006. WRAP is seeking applications from producers and retailers with projects that would cut cost effectively cut down the amount of waste that a consumer has to deal with.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms Bickerstaffe said: “I am supportive of what WRAP is doing, but I think their remit should be expanded to cover all stages of a products life rather than just looking at what is put on the shelves in a supermarket.”

Toothpaste

Ms Bickerstaffe used the example of toothpaste, saying that although the box appears to be a waste of packaging it can save on the packaging that would be needed elsewhere in the process.

She explained: “If you take away the box that toothpaste tubes come in you still need to display them somehow, they wouldn't stack. You would have to use stands on the shelves and this would create more packaging waste for the supermarket. They would also need more protection during the delivery phase.”

INCPEN pointed out that packaging was there to protect products and provide advice and information to the consumer. Ms Bickerstaffe said that there are often many reasons for packaging, and the public should be provided with more information on this.

Ms Bickerstaffe said: “I know of several companies who have reduced the overall amount of packaging produced, but this has led to more on-shelf packaging. The whole picture needs to be looked at in more detail.”