waste less. live more
We inspire and help people to waste less and live more sustainably.
Pack it in
Pack It In is our campaign to expose the very worst examples of over-packaged products in the UK.
Take action now by viewing or uploading photos to our Flickr rogues’ gallery or find out more about the issue and what you can do about it.
What are the facts?
Why is it a problem?
Is all packaging bad?
What is being done about it?
10 things you can do
What are the facts?
- The UK produces 9.3 million tonnes of waste packaging a year – the equivalent weight of 245 jumbo jets every week.
- Packaging makes up 5% of the average shopping basket.
- Packaging represents over a quarter of the contents of an average household waste bin.
Why is it a problem?
Packaging is a major source of litter, it uses energy and resources to produce it, adds to waste collection and disposal costs, and, because much of it cannot be recycled, often ends in landfill.
It can even discourage people from recycling, as they feel the retailers just aren’t doing enough themselves to address the problem.
Is all packaging bad?
No, not at all. Packaging can provide necessary protection to goods including perishable items, keeping them fresh and preventing food waste. For example, cucumbers wrapped in 1.5 grams of plastic last for two weeks; without, they last just 3 days.
The 2003 Packaging Regulations Act prohibits manufacturers and retailers from using excess packaging. It says packaging should be limited to ‘the minimum adequate amount’ to ensure safety and hygiene.
But this has rarely been tested in law and over-packaging remains a big problem, especially for local authorities whose job it is to collect and dispose of it.
What is being done about it?
Some companies have reduced the environmental impact of packaging by moving to lighter weight products – glass bottles and steel or aluminium cans are now approximately 30% lighter than there were in 1980.
By October 2010 forty-one companies had also become signatories of the Courtauld Commitment, which aims to design out and reduce packaging waste.
But we think more can be done. And that’s where you come in...
10 things you can do
- Post your photos of outrageous over-packaging to our Pack It In rogues’ gallery and every year we’ll select the worst examples for our wooden spoon award, judged by specialist eco-packaging consultants.
- Contact the retailer or manufacturer to complain or report it to Consumer Direct by calling 08454 04 05 06.
- Choose goods with minimal packaging and which are packaged in a material that can be recycled or returned in your area.
- Use plastic containers and bags again or make them into something else. For example, use yoghurt pots to grow seedlings or use the top part of drinks bottles as cloches for plants.
- Buy products that are refillable, such as liquid laundry detergent and fabric conditioner.
- Buy concentrated products like washing up liquid or fabric conditioner and follow the dosage instructions carefully.
- Buy in bulk for store cupboard staples like rice and pasta – one big bag will have less packaging than several small bags.
- Think of ways of reducing the need for packaging. Don't add extra packaging yourself - a melon or a bunch of bananas already has natural packaging.
- Use your local recycling service to recycle everything you can. You can check what your local council collects using Recycle Now bank locator.
- Whenever possible, look out for products packaged in at least partially recycled material.
