Environment

The British Retail Consortium has reiterated its commitment to recycling logos for packaging in its "pledges for a better retailing climate", signed last month by the majority of the UK's major retailers.

The new commitment calls for a reduction of retailers' own-brand packaging by 2013, compared to 2005, and encourages brand owners to follow suit. Retailers are also pressing for "more uniform provision of recycling infrastructure in the UK".

Retailers vowed to send less than 50% of waste to landfill by 2013, ensure continuity of supply to mediate changing climates, and engage in public policy debate. Signatories include Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer, but not Morrisons, which is not a BRC member.

Peter Davis, director general of the British Plastics Federation, expressed concerns that an alternative recycling logo might be developed "as we have seen with nutritional information".

"Labelling can be very confusing for consumers and care is needed as more symbols are put on packs."

The BRC has carried out a consultation on its logos and a response is due "shortly".