News

The Liberal Democrats are to call for "binding targets" for packaging reduction at their autumn conference in Brighton.

MP Jo Swinson will table a motion calling for measures to "strengthen" existing legislation by "correcting technical problems" and "closing loopholes".

The motion also proposes the creation of a national body to "tackle large-scale producers of excess packaging" and establishing requirements for supermarkets to take back packaging.

The Lib Dems have criticised the Courtauld Commitment for paying "lip-service to packaging reduction", but failing to show "real results".

The motion will be presented to the conference on Wednesday morning (19 September) at 9am.

It will be preceded on Tuesday evening by a fringe debate on 'excess' packaging attended by The Independent's Martin Hickman and David Gregory of Marks & Spencer, as well as Swinson and Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne.