Eggs-cellent progress made on cutting down packaging

Published on Friday 10 April 2009 22:13

CONCERNS about the environment have led to a massive reduction in the amount of plastic and cardboard packaging used to wrap Easter eggs, with consumers deciding less is more.

The annual Easter egg packaging survey carried out by Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson found the average weight of Easter egg packaging has fallen by more than a third since last year.

Nestl and Green & Black's were praised for making the biggest improvement, while Lindt was criticised for having the most excessive packaging with an egg which was only 9 per cent of the weight of the wrapped and boxed package.

However, Ms Swinson, the MP for Dunbartonshire, who has carried out the survey for the past three years, said manufacturers needed to go further.

She said: "While it is encouraging that the amount of packaging used for Easter eggs has gone down, they remain one of the most excessively packaged and wasteful products available.

"On average, Easter eggs still take up only 40 per cent of their packaging, so there is still more that can be done to reduce it even more. It is also important to make sure not just that packaging is reduced, but it is recyclable and that is made clear to consumers.

"The progress that has been made in the past year is encouraging, but manufacturers must go much further."

The average weight of packaging on each Easter egg was 84g in 2007 and 82.6g in 2008, but shrank to 45.7g this year.

For the third year running. Lindt was named as having the most excessive packaging.

Marks & Spencer and the House of Commons' offering used the least packaging, with their Easter eggs wrapped in just a thin layer of silver foil and having no box.

Chocolate giants Cadbury's and Nestl both sold their eggs under an environmentally friendly ticket this year, with Cadbury's selling its medium and large eggs alongside signs showing they used 20 per cent and 30 per cent less packaging.

Nestl was named the manufacturer that showed the most improvement, while Terry's had the worst results, with packaging levels that had increased since last year.

According to the MP's report, 59 per cent of British adults believe Easter eggs to be over-packaged and would like to see a reduction in the amount of waste produced.

However, the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment says that Easter egg packaging accounts for less than 0.3 per cent of UK waste.

Director Jane Bickerstaffe said the retail industry was already doing its bit and added that it was in everyone's interests to ensure that packaging was produced as efficiently as possible.

"Packaging costs money, so it makes commercial and environmental sense for companies to reduce packaging, though not so far that the product gets damaged."

Davina Shiell, for the campaign group Friends of the Earth Scotland, welcomed the trend towards more eco-friendly Easter eggs.

She said: "We are delighted by any efforts to reduce waste.

"We would encourage people to think carefully about what they are buying and go for the option that creates as little waste as possible."