Nick Harvey says:

We must dramatically reduce the levels of packaging used in UK shops now.

Householders are constantly being lambasted over rubbish and yet a fifth of all household waste is unwanted packaging - this accounts for around 17 per cent of the average household food bill which is terrible.

Currently the Government is singularly failing to halt rising levels of packaging. In Devon we produce over 300,000 tonnes of rubbish every year, so something drastic has to be done.

District Councils by 2010 will face fines of up to £150 per tonne dumped in landfill sites over a set quota. So it is vital to reduce this.

Current packaging regulations lack legal bite and reductions for excessive packaging on groceries is conducted purely on a voluntary basis.

Earlier this year I signed an Early Day Motion censuring manufacturers and retailers, but ultimately the Government must strengthen exiting regulations to enable Trading Standards Officers to act.

Background
In Devon we recycled around 40.6% of our waste. The UK is required to reduce biodegradable waste sent to landfill by 25% by 2010 and by 65% by 20201. For North Devon and Torridge this equals 10,700 tonnes by 2010 and 27,755 tonnes by 2020.