Packaging is a large part of what we throw away. Figures vary from one-third to one-sixth of the waste in our dustbins. Bottles, cans, boxes, bags and wrappers are all packaging. It has been worked out that for every £50 a family spends on buying things, £8 is for the packaging!
If you find that items you purchase have excessive packaging, contact the manufacturers and complain. Look out for dealers wanting packaging for re-use.
Choose items with less packaging - look at www.positivepackage.org.uk for ideas to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging. There is also a template letter available to help you complain constructively if you find overpackaging.
