Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Benn sends packaging waste packing
Consumers will see a major overhaul of all packaging over the next decade, under plans announced by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today.
The Government's new packaging strategy, Making the most of packaging, looks at the packaging of the future and what our shop shelves and kitchen cupboards should look like if we cut the amount of packaging produced, used and thrown away, and increase the amount recycled.
Under the plans published today, the whole chain from production to disposal of packaging will be tackled:
* Enforcement action will be made easier against manufacturers of
excess and unnecessary packaging, and consumers will be encouraged
to continue to report excessive packaging to Trading
Standards;
* The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
will work with manufacturers and retailers to reduce packaging for
everyday products in line with the best on the market;
* The
recyclability of packaging will be improved and clear guidance
will be provided for manufacturers on designing it with
recyclability in mind;
* The use of refillable and reusable
packaging could be expanded, so in the future customers could have
the option of buying anything from laundry detergent to coffee by
simply taking empty containers back to shops to be refilled;
*
The Government will work with local authorities and packaging
producers to improve household recycling services, so that in
future more types of packaging are collected for recycling;
*
Recycling rates for plastic, glass, and aluminium will be targeted
for improvement. This will mean more 'recycling on the
go' points introduced in public places for drinks cans, and
more glass collected for recycling from pubs, clubs and
restaurants; and
* Banning of some materials, such as
aluminium and glass, from landfill altogether is also being considered.
Launching the new strategy at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management Futuresource conference today, Mr Benn said:
"We need to rethink the way we deal with packaging, from production line to recycling bin. The plans we've announced today set out how we will achieve that - with the goal of making it as easy as possible for consumers to avoid needless packaging in the first place and to get rid of what they do receive in a way that doesn't just create more landfill. I also want consumers to play their part by reporting excess packaging wherever they see it - because we're all in this together.
"In a few years time I want people to be able to shop without having to worry about what they're going to do with the packaging when they get home, and where it will go after they've disposed of it."
Liz Goodwin, CEO of WRAP, said:
"Packaging waste is a major issue for shoppers, local authorities and retailers - and we need to join forces to tackle it. By working across the whole supply chain, we have greater opportunities to make a positive difference. We need to cut excess packaging whilst recognising that the right packaging can help products last longer and so reduce waste. This is crucial if we are to meet UK targets for keeping waste out of landfill.
"We have a chance for real innovation here - so that, from design to disposal, packaging is the very best it can be - for shoppers and the environment."
Making the most of packaging covers all of the UK and is being published jointly by Defra, BERR, the Welsh Assembly Government, Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish Government. The devolved administrations have also announced how they will each take forward the strategy.
Making the most of packaging can be downloaded from
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/packaging/strategy.htm
Notes to Editors
1. Hilary Benn spoke about the new Packaging Strategy in his speech to the CIWM Futuresource conference on 9 June.
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