MPs call for crackdown on wasteful packaging

MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday called for a crackdown on wasteful packaging, especially that produced by the fast-food industry, writes Nicholas Schoon.

The Commons environment select committee published a report on recycling which urged the Government to make up its mind on whether new laws to promote recycling are necessary. It said the top priority for tackling solid wastes should be to minimise production. After that, waste should be recycled or burnt, with the heat being used to generate electricity in garbage-fuelled power stations. Landfill sites should have the lowest priority.

In its unanimous report, the cross-party committee called for the Department of the Environment to commission urgent research on reducing the waste from the rapidly growing fast-food industry. One member, Andrew Bennett (Labour, Denton and Reddish), told a press conference he was distressed about the lack of environmental responsibility shown by the Burger King chain which had submitted evidence.

John Gummer, the environment secretary, has told the packaging industry to devise its own scheme for at least halving the seven million tons of waste dumped at landfill sites each year by 2000.