Lib Dems Push for Waste Reduction

10.08.35pm GMT Sun 4th Nov 2007

The Liberal Democrats are campaigning against excessive packaging.

Uttlesford Liberal Democrats invested Council Tax payers' money in the three wheelie bin recycling system, which is now regularly delivering rates of over 50%. The wheelie bin recycling system will save Council Tax payers millions of pounds in landfill tax payments over the coming years.

Cllr Peter Wilcock, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, has welcomed the Bill, which Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson presented to Parliament last week, setting out measures designed to cut excess packaging. He commented, "Following the introduction of the new recycling system, the main complaint from residents is that manufacturers create excess packaging which needs disposal."

Commenting on the Packaging (Reduction) Bill, Cllr Martin Foley, Uttlesford Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, said, "It is clear, from the huge support we have had for our 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. I t makes no environmental sense to over-package products and no economic sense to charge frustrated consumers for packaging they don't need or want."

"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."

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Click here to Jo Swinson's speech in full.