Councils should work with supermarkets to boost recycling

The call comes as new research published by the Local Government Association (LGA) found that up to 40 per cent of a regular household-shopping basket can’t be recycled due to excessive packaging, with supermarkets found to be the worst offender.

The LGA commissioned British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) Social Research to buy a range of common food items from eight retailers.

Analysis of the purchases found that local retailers and market traders produced less packaging than supermarkets. In addition products bought from local retailers and market traders has packaging that was more easily recyclable than supermarket products.  

Cllr Paul Bettison, chairman of the LGA's Environment Board, said:

“People are working hard to increase their recycling rates, but their efforts are being hamstrung by needlessly over-packaged products on sale in supermarkets. We all have a responsibility to reduce the amount of waste being thrown into landfill, which is damaging the environment and contributing to climate change.

“Many supermarkets are taking action to cut back on excessive packaging, but this research proves there is an urgent need to do more. Councils and council tax payers are facing fines of up to £3 billion if we do not dramatically reduce the amount of waste thrown into landfill.”

He added:

“Councils want to work constructively with supermarkets to look at solutions to the problem of excessive packaging.”

“ Evidence from other countries has shown that when local authorities work with supermarkets to educate consumers, there is a significant increase in the sale of products with less packaging. It is important shoppers are actively encouraged to consider the environmental impact of their purchases.”