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Used packaging sent back to shops | |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Campaigners are returning unwanted packaging to supermarkets as part of a campaign to cut waste. | |
Friends of the Earth Scotland wants store managers to tell their head offices to stop over-packaging goods. | Friends of the Earth Scotland wants store managers to tell their head offices to stop over-packaging goods. |
The protest is targeting stores in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk, Kirkcaldy, Elgin and Fort William this weekend. | |
However, the Scottish Retail Consortium described the protest as "misguided" and said stores were taking steps to boost recycling. | However, the Scottish Retail Consortium described the protest as "misguided" and said stores were taking steps to boost recycling. |
The protestors will hand back what they see as excess paper, plastic and cardboard, and ask shoppers to sign a petition. | The protestors will hand back what they see as excess paper, plastic and cardboard, and ask shoppers to sign a petition. |
Retailers and manufacturers recognise their environmental responsibilities and have a strong financial incentive to use no more than necessary Fiona MoriartyScottish Retail Consortium | Retailers and manufacturers recognise their environmental responsibilities and have a strong financial incentive to use no more than necessary Fiona MoriartyScottish Retail Consortium |
Friends of the Earth Scotland's Rosiaina Browning said: "We want to send a strong message to stores that, as customers, we find it totally unacceptable that our shopping comes so over-packaged. | Friends of the Earth Scotland's Rosiaina Browning said: "We want to send a strong message to stores that, as customers, we find it totally unacceptable that our shopping comes so over-packaged. |
"Most of it is unnecessary and is only adding to Scotland's growing waste mountain. | "Most of it is unnecessary and is only adding to Scotland's growing waste mountain. |
"Over-packaged goods waste a huge amount of valuable resources and we hope that the retailers will listen and reduce the amount of packaging accordingly." | "Over-packaged goods waste a huge amount of valuable resources and we hope that the retailers will listen and reduce the amount of packaging accordingly." |
However, Fiona Moriarty of the Scottish Retail Consortium said packaging accounted for just 3% of the total amount of waste going to landfill. | However, Fiona Moriarty of the Scottish Retail Consortium said packaging accounted for just 3% of the total amount of waste going to landfill. |
She said it informed customers and protected products. | She said it informed customers and protected products. |
"Friends of the Earth Scotland's tactics are misguided," she said. | "Friends of the Earth Scotland's tactics are misguided," she said. |
Supermarkets say they are trying to improve packaging | Supermarkets say they are trying to improve packaging |
"No-one adds packaging for its own sake. Retailers and manufacturers recognise their environmental responsibilities and have a strong financial incentive to use no more than necessary. | "No-one adds packaging for its own sake. Retailers and manufacturers recognise their environmental responsibilities and have a strong financial incentive to use no more than necessary. |
"At the same time they are making big efforts to innovate and boost recycling." | "At the same time they are making big efforts to innovate and boost recycling." |
A Liberal Democrat MP proposed a new law at Westminster this week to tackle excessive packaging. | A Liberal Democrat MP proposed a new law at Westminster this week to tackle excessive packaging. |
Jo Swinson, the MP for East Dunbartonshire, said she supported Friends of the Earth's campaign. | Jo Swinson, the MP for East Dunbartonshire, said she supported Friends of the Earth's campaign. |
She said: "The public's calls for government action on excess packaging are getting louder and louder. | She said: "The public's calls for government action on excess packaging are getting louder and louder. |
"I'm sure this weekend's activities organised by Friends of the Earth Scotland will leave supermarkets in no doubt about what their customers think of excess packaging." | "I'm sure this weekend's activities organised by Friends of the Earth Scotland will leave supermarkets in no doubt about what their customers think of excess packaging." |
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