Jo targets excess packaging in Parliament

5.27.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Oct 2007

Jo's Bill sets out a range of measures to tackle excess packaging

Jo Swinson today presented a Bill to Parliament setting out measures designed to cut excess packaging.

Setting out the case for her Packaging (Reduction) Bill, Jo called for:

• The establishment of a national body to promote and enforce packaging reduction;

• Consumers to be given powers to leave packaging in supermarkets for recycling;

• Improvements to packaging regulations to assist the work of Trading Standards officers;

• Binding targets for packaging reduction in place of existing voluntary targets.

Commenting on the Packaging (Reduction) Bill, Jo said:

"It is clear from the huge support I have had for my campaign against excess packaging that excessive and wasteful packaging is a real bugbear for a lot of people.

"Families now spend an average of £470 a year on packaging. It makes no environmental sense to over-package products and no economic sense to charge frustrated consumers for packaging they don't need.

"Despite increases in recycling, the problem is getting worse, with domestic waste having risen by a fifth since 1997. The Government's attempts to tackle the packaging problem have been too timid and too slow.

"The Packaging (Reduction) Bill brings measures before Parliament that set out how to tackle excess packaging, including steps to empower consumers and assist the vital work of Trading Standards officers.

"The Government needs to sit up and take notice that the packaging problem will continue to get worse unless they take strong, effective action."

Full title of Jo Swinson MP's 10 Minute Rule Motion:

Packaging (Reduction) Bill: That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish a national body to promote and enforce packaging reduction; to make provision for the disposal of packaging by certain retailers; to establish binding targets for the reduction of packaging; and for connected purposes.

Jo Swinson's Early Day Motion (no.814) on excess packaging has received cross-party support from 179 MPs. Last month, a motion proposed to Liberal Democrat Federal Conference by Jo Swinson entitled 'Taking Action to Tackle Excess Packaging', was successfully carried.