More than 10 million tonnes of packaging is still entering the UK waste stream1 and as much as 49 million tonnes of CO2 could be emitted this year as a result, says Envirowise2.
Despite as much as 60% of this material subsequently being recovered or recycled3, the initial packaging production will already have generated more than London's entire annual emissions4.
Now the resource efficiency programme is calling on manufacturers and retailers to take steps to 'design out' unnecessary packaging material at the very beginning of the process - with their help - and lower the long term environmental impact.
Dr Martin Gibson, Envirowise Programme Director, says: "Many products don't need room to breathe, so why are they surrounded by unnecessary 'air' through over-sized or ill-fitting packaging? Some businesses could even be doubling their transport costs – simply because their products are over-packed. And with 67% of consumers surveyed always buying the least-packed product when given a choice, it is clear there is both an environmental and commercial motivation to act5."
Companies are being urged to visit the How much air page and enter some initial data on their packaging format and usage. Participants will then receive valuable, free guidance from Envirowise within ten working days – outlining opportunities to innovate and reduce their packaging waste.
Dr Martin Gibson continues: "While we support the excellent work taking place to reuse and recycle many materials, priority must be given to reducing resource use at the design stage itself. And this can often generate long term cost efficiencies. Take perfume as an example – a popular Christmas gift – and packaging can represent as much as 22% of the product manufacturer's gross costs6. We hope this free consultation will help kick-start a range of cleaner design action plans for the New Year."
Jane Bickerstaffe, Director of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), says: "There are a number of key drivers for companies to minimise and optimise packaging, including the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Obligations - which require packaging producers to take responsibility for recovering 70 per cent of packaging by 2010 – and the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations - which dictate that packaging volume and weight in the UK market is limited to the minimum amount that is absolutely necessary.
"And while companies spent £105 million on recovering and recycling 60% of used packaging in 2005 – we know there is still room for improvement. We would urge businesses to refer to INCPEN's Responsible Packaging Code of Practice7 and take advantage of this free advice from Envirowise."
Any company involved in design, production or distribution of packaging is invited to register at the How much air page Envirowise will then contact companies with free, tailored advice on cutting packaging waste within 10 working days.
Businesses can also source confidential advice on a wide range of issues relating to resource efficiency by calling the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794.
Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Harrison Cowley.
Footnotes:
- "An estimated 10,280,196 tonnes of packaging waste entered the UK waste stream in 2005 (DEFRA
)
- It is estimated by Giraffe Innovation that the CO2 generated in producing total UK packaging waste in 2006 will be 49 million tonnes. For more information please contact Giraffe Innovation
- DEFRA
- London website(Page 44 / Fig 11)
- Figures taken from LOTSA/Mintel survey conducted in January 2006
- INCPEN
- INCPEN Code of Practice
Notes to Editors:
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits* delivered by a national team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms, to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit the Envirowise website or call 0800 585 794.
* Please note that different services are available in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – please contact our Advice Line on 0800 585 794 for more information on whether you are eligible for a site visit.