Environment

Retail packaging is to carry a new logo from early next year to show the likelihood that local authorities will accept materials for recycling.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) have developed a single logo system to replace the "potentially confusing" range of symbols and messages currently facing consumers.

The three categories proposed are: Widely recycled, where more than 65% of local authorities recycle the material; Check locally, for between 20% and 65% of local authorities; and Not currently recycled, for less than 20%.

BRC director general Kevin Hawkins said inconsistencies in recycling schemes "cannot be allowed to thwart a standardised label" that would mean more of what can be recycled actually is.

"Ideally, material that's recycled in one area would be recycled everywhere but, so far, it isn't," he added.

The scheme has been developed in conjunction with a number of retailers, including Asda, Marks & Spencer and Tesco, but not Morrisons, which is not a BRC member.

A consultation has been launched with retailers, manufacturers, local authorities and the government to make sure the scheme has "widespread acceptance".

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