Local Euro MP joins calls for cut in packaging

8.30.46am GMT Tue 30th Jan 2007

Diana Wallis MEP talks about packaging waste on the BBC Politics Show

Local Liberal Democrat Euro MP, Diana Wallis, has joined the calls for supermarkets to cut unnecessary packaging to reduce Britain's huge waste mountain.

Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Menzies Campbell has already challenged supermarkets to come clean on the amount of waste they are producing and to draw up plans to reduce it.

He is being backed by Diana Wallis MEP who has questioned the need for fruit and vegetables to be wrapped in plastic coverings.

Although EU rules are sometimes blamed for cucumbers, apples and even swedes being sold in shrink-wrapped plastic sleeves Diana Wallis says that the fault lies entirely with British supermarkets.

"There is no requirement from the EU for fruit and vegetables to be sold like this, so I don't understand why British supermarkets seem to be so obsessed with excessive packaging. In my experience it doesn't happen in other European countries."

"In particular, I am not convinced by the rationale for wrapping cucumbers in plastic. Supermarkets say that they are responding to consumer demand and extending the shelf life of the product but, surely, cucumbers were provided by nature with a tough green skin to keep them fresh and protect them from damage. They do not need any help."

Latest figures show that 4.6 million tons of packaging waste are increasing local grocery bills and choking landfill sites across the country.

Diana Wallis, who has been campaigning to clear the plastic bag mountain in the region, went on to say:

"We are beginning to see a consumer reaction to the tonnes of unwanted and unnecessary packaging. Now it is up to the supermarket chains to respond positively and to restore customer belief that the retailers share people's environmental concerns."