Packaging

Traditional materials like waxed card and paper have been replaced by foamed plastics, aluminium and polythene. The result is a high volume of lightweight rubbish which swamps litter bins, blows about in the wind and is, in the main, non biodegradable.

Packaging has three main purposes: protection, preservation, and to make the product look more attractive to potential buyers. Many packaging materials are combined together in such a way that they are impossible to separate and therefore cannot be recycled.

Action

If there is no choice, buy products which are contained in the least amount of packaging. Buying in bulk helps since items packaged in small quantities produce more waste than those packaged in large quantities. Packaging made of paper or cardboard is preferable to plastic and glass bottles are better than plastic ones, especially if they are returnable.