Packaging

Packaging does perform a number of useful functions.  It is there to provide information or instructions about what's inside and some packaging is required by law. Packaging is also necessary for hygiene.  For instance it provides protection from contamination, which is particularly important for food that is eaten raw or straight from the pack.

Packaging can also extend the life of perishables and thus prevent food wastage.  For instance, just 1.5 grams of wrapping round a cucumber can keep it fresh for 14 days.

However, there is a growing concern that too much packaging is used for commodities and it is used to encourage us to buy things we do not always need. Packaging has all too often become a tool for marketing.  Increasingly consumers are demanding that it should minimised; made from a greater proportion of recycled content and that most importantly more of the packaging should be easily recycled.

The Producer Responsibility Regulations (1997) and Essential Requirements regulations (1998) were introduced to regulate packaging. Government, retailers and manufacturers and industry associations are working with councils to ensure these laws are applied and enforced effectively.

The links below provide useful guidance on how we address the issue of packaging from all sides of the debate.

http://www.incpen.org/pages/data/PackaginginPerspective.pdf

http://www.recyclenow.com/why_recycling_matters/packaging/what_has_been_done.html

http://www.incpen.org/pages/data/PackagingFS.pdf

http://www.wrap.org.uk/search_clicks.rm?id=4830&destinationtype=2&instanceid=877958

http://www.wrap.org.uk/go.rm?id=11649