Lib Dems call for war on packaging

Published on Wednesday 27 February 2008 09:41

SCOTTISH Liberal Democrats are set to call for binding targets to cut excess packaging in place of the current voluntary commitments.

The party's conference in Aviemore this weekend will debate a motion which also proposes a requirement that supermarkets provide waste points in store, allowing customers to remove and deposit unwanted packaging before they leave.

Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle, who campaigned for a 10p levy on plastic bags, said: "The average household in Scotland produces over 1.1 tonnes of waste per year resulting in roughly 500,000 tonnes of packaging being thrown away by Scottish homes each year.

"The UK Government's waste strategy fails to address the need for constructive changes to the currently ineffective regulations. They have also failed to meet the UK wide targets for packaging reduction set by the EU.

"It is concerning that despite the SNP's manifesto commitment to a 'Zero Waste Scotland', they have recently reduced the Strategic Waste Fund budget by 26 million.

"I strongly urge the SNP Government to introduce binding packaging reduction targets to be met by producers and retailers in order to curb this shocking amount of waste."