Too much packaging says Euro-MP

Chris Davies with Cucumbers

Rochdale's Lib-Dem Euro-MP is calling on supermarkets to slash unnecessary packaging in a bid to reduce Britain’s huge waste mountain.

Chris Davies has expressed his concerns following a report by the Local Government Association which shows that around 38 per cent of packaging in a household shopping basket cannot be recycled.

Each year, the UK generates 26 million tonnes of household waste of which two thirds goes to landfill — more than any other EU country.

Marks and Spencer has committed itself to reducing packaging by a quarter within four years and supermarkets are expected to follow suit.

Three years ago, Mr Davies launched his scrap the wrap campaign against fruit and vegetables being sold in plastic coverings in a bid to show that British supermarkets were to blame rather than EU rules.

Recycling rates have increased to 33 per cent in England as people do their bit to reduce the amount of waste thrown away but the battle against excess packaging continues.

He said: “More could be achieved if governments show the political will to demand it.

“There is no EU requirement for fruit and vegetables to be sold like this and it doesn’t happen to the same extent in other EU countries.

“Our supermarkets are simply obsessed with producing excessive packaging.

“It’s time they stopped making claims about consumer preferences and asked people directly whether they want so much packaging. Everyone who returns from a supermarket shop to find themselves buried in unwanted packaging will give them a very strong response.”