Lib Dems call for action on Christmas packaging

MP Jo Swinson, who sits on the Environmental Audit Select Committee, has published a report on whether Christmas gifts are overwrapped. It says that despite legislation to keep packaging to a minimum, the government was failing to enforce it.

Swinson said: “At the end of Christmas Day, we all end up with an abundance of packaging to throw away. Whether it’s from food gifts or crackers, it all adds up.

“Excess packaging imposes a triple cost on consumers – we pay for it at the checkout, we pay for it to be disposed of and we bear the environmental costs.”

After visiting a London toy store, Swinson admitted there were examples of good and bad packaging.

“It’s not all doom and gloom – I have also picked out some examples of gifts that are minimally packaged but still maximum fun,” she said.

Swinson highlighted a cuddly polar bear toy, which is sold without packaging aside from a small tag, as an example of a minimally packaged gift.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, MSP Mike Pringle said supermarkets, retailers and the public needed to act more responsibly in their use of packaging over Christmas and New Year.

“Toy stores, supermarkets and all of us as individuals are guilty of using too much packaging,” he said. “Gifts for friends and family, food for the table, cards and crackers all add up. Excess packaging surrounds those things.”

“Meeting our recycling targets will never happen unless we all decide to kick the habit of using excess packaging,” said Pringle.

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