Government sends food packaging waste packing

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. 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."