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The Liberal Democrats have attacked the government's packaging policy for failing to address "with sufficient vigour" the need to reduce packaging in the UK.

A motion approved this morning (19 September) at the party's autumn conference in Brighton called for amendments to "strengthen" the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations and the creation of a national body to "tackle large-scale producers of excess packaging".

It also called for "binding targets" on packaging reduction to replace the voluntary Courtauld Commitment, which the Lib Dems described as "ineffective".

The motion proposed a "deposit" scheme for plastic bags where supermarkets would charge consumers to take them away, and be refunded upon return.

The Lib Dems also said supermarket stores larger than 250sqm in size should be required to provide waste points for customers to leave "unwanted" packaging before leaving the store.

The party's Environmental Incentive Programme would include fiscal incentives to "reduce excessive packaging and disposable products".