Unrecyclable excess packaging is used on all kinds of products, particularly food (think of the packaging on the average Easter egg compared to its size) and has become a prominent environmental concern throughout the UK in recent years.

A survey conducted by the British Marketing Research Bureau in February saw Waitrose named as one of the leading supermarkets still producing substantial unenvironmental excess packaging.

In February the Daily Mail reported that almost 40% of supermarket packaging is now unrecyclable, with Waitrose using the largest amount of packaging according to weight.

Many consumers have become frustrated at the weight, expense and problems with recycling excess packaging that they argue could be omitted from supermarket products. The Local Government Agency (LGA) supported these concerns with the claim that in addition to the extra weight and costs involved, excess packaging undermines the recycling efforts of shoppers.

Packaging officials retorted that these reports undermine the value of packaging and are incorrect in their assumptions that much of it can be easily negated from products. They also argued that excess packaging reduces waste by preserving food products.

But with 25% of Britain’s unrecycled waste accountable to packaging, are demands for the packaging industry to take a firmer line in its commitment to environmental change justified?

Since an EU packaging directive in 1999, local authorities have the power to prosecute businesses that over-package their products, although no actions have been taken since 2006. The legislation is flawed, with several loopholes making its enforcement a challenge, and the maximum fine of

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