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June 2008

Problematic packaging

A survey into retail packaging waste by Local Government Association (LGA) shows that up to 38 per cent of packaging in a regular household shopping basket cannot be recycled.
A sample basket of shopping from eight food retailers was analysed by British Market Research Bureau. The shopping included items like mushrooms and fresh pizza. The weight of the packaging was calculated, along with the amount of packaging considered recyclable.

The supermarket with the heaviest packaging was Lidl at 813 grams. In addition, Lidl and Marks & Spencer had the lowest level of packaging that could be recycled (62 per cent). Asda's packaging weighed least among the major supermarkets (646 grams, of which 69 per cent was recyclable). In contrast, in a sample local market, packaging weighed the least of all (617 grams, of which 76 per cent was recyclable).

The report added that the ‘UK landfills more of its waste than most other countries in the European Union (only Portugal and Greece send more to landfill)’. Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of the LGA Environment Board, commented: “Many countries on the continent operate a system where retailers contribute towards household collection and recycling services. This acts as an incentive for them not to produce excessive packaging in the first place. Government urgently needs to change its approach so retailers are incentivised to minimise unnecessary packaging and support maximum recycling.”