Government must show leadership and set out plans to reduce excess waste
3 min read
Conservative MP David Mackintosh says the environmental impact caused by packaging is a significant and growing concern for consumers, Government and retailers.
We have all at times been baffled by the amount of unnecessary packaging that fill up our recycling bins. As a consumer, I am often frustrated by this, and whilst there has been a general improvement over the years as the public’s sensibilities have changed, there is still much that producers can do to further limit the use of packaging materials.
Manufacturers and traders have a legitimate need to ensure that their products reach their customers in satisfactory condition, and that perishable goods are adequately protected to prevent them from spoiling. Protective packaging plays an important part in preventing damage to the goods people have purchased and expect to find in a good condition. Nonetheless, there is agreement amongst consumers, legislators and industry that the total use of recyclable and compostable materials is a goal that must be pursued.
The recent introduction of the 5p charge for plastic bags was an example of a government initiative that has worked well to reduce the use of non-biodegradable carrier bags in the UK. This was, however a consumer facing initiative, and it may be that similar initiatives could be introduced that would help to encourage the same sort of changes in the manufacturing and packaging industries.
Initiatives such as Pledge4Plastics, the New Plastics Economy Initiative and the industry led Plastics 2020 Challenge and Plastics Industry Recycling Action Plan are playing a key part in this, and it is encouraging that major brands like Coca-Cola, Danone, MARS, Unilever and Sainsbury plc are leading by example and supporting this.
I know from my own experience as the leader of a local authority that councils are committed to increasing recycling and are already under huge pressure to reduce landfill. Recycling policy is set at a local government level, and there are a number of legal and financial obligations which make this central to the policies of all councils.
However, inconsistency in the types of materials that can be recycled from council to council is clearly an issue that, if resolved, would give greater clarity to manufacturers, as well as to local residents wishing to recycle more.
As an MP with both the River Nene and the Grand Union Canal running through my constituency in Northampton, I often see the awful situation where waste is dumped into waterways and there is huge cost and difficulty required to keep this tidy and clear this up. Clearly the blame lies in the people who dump waste into the waterways but different types of packing would go some way to helping this to compost or break down and it is right we are looking at this issue.
I know the public want to see action and I was pleased by the reaction from my constituents to the debate in Parliament and now government needs to show leadership in setting out a clear plan to reduce excessive waste further and make recycling a priority.
David Mackintosh is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Northampton South
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