Shoppers are tired of too much packaging, polling by YouGov for the Local Government Association has found.
The research found that 71% of people believe supermarkets and retailers use too much packaging. Nine in 10 (88 per cent) believe only recyclable material should be used, and that it should have clearer labelling.
Councils are calling on all political parties to pledge to introduce the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which will shift the costs of dealing with waste from taxpayers on to the producers with incentives to help reduce and recycle.
LGA and YouGov polling also found that:
- 85 per cent of people think companies should be required by Government to reduce the amount of packaging used
- Councils are six times more likely to be trusted to run waste and recycling services (52%) than the Government (6%) or industry (8%)
- The public are 12 times more likely to think costs in reducing packaging should be met by companies producing it (48%) rather than councils dealing with it (4%).
The LGA is also calling on the Government to ensure that councils will continue to have the autonomy to run waste and recycling services in a way to suits the needs of their individual communities, and to ensure they receive the funding needed to deliver local waste services in good time to enable long-term planning.
The reforms rest alongside the ‘simpler recycling’ changes that provide greater consistency to waste and recycling services provided by councils around the country.
Looking further ahead, councils want to see the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme expanded to include other items, such as littering and furniture.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, environment spokesperson for the LGA said: “Public satisfaction with waste services remains high, it is something councils work hard to achieve and we are pleased to see the public most trust councils to lead local waste services.
“…Everybody can see the levels of waste, across our shop shelves, delivered to our homes, and into our bins. Councils see it every day and spend millions dealing with it”
“Good packaging is essential for keeping products fresh and intact, and producers are doing more to reduce waste and support recycling. But everybody can see the levels of waste, across our shop shelves, delivered to our homes, and into our bins. Councils see it every day and spend millions dealing with it.
“We support reforms for packaging producers taking responsibility for meeting costs and in helping further reduce and recycle packaging waste, it is crucial that the costs are met and that councils continue to lead local waste and recycling services.”
OPRL’s Managing Director Jude Allan commented on the findings, stating: “With EPR underway, we are seeing major changes to the composition of packaging. Brands are including greater levels of recyclable material and switching to recyclable packaging. But OPRL’s own research has shown that over half of respondents say they cannot always understand whether packaging can be recycled. For EPR to be effective, it is crucial that consumers are given the right tools to make the right choices.
“The LGA’s recent research shows a public that is engaged with the debate around packaging and keen to recycle. However, there is a clear message that was mirrored in OPRL’s consumer survey, showing a degree of distrust for producers and government. When it comes to labelling, consumers need clear instructions and trust in the metrics behind the claims.”
