BINS overflowing with packaging, used wrapping paper and empty biscuit boxes are a common sight at this time of year – but Liberal Democrat MPs say enough is enough.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alistair Carmichael has thrown his weight behind Westminster colleague Jo Swinson’s campaign to put more pressure on manufacturers to cut out unnecessary packaging.
He says the environmental damage caused by waste should put the issue at the top of the political agenda.
Mr Carmichael said: “At the end of Christmas Day, we all end up with an abundance of packaging to throw away – whether it’s from food, gifts or crackers, it all adds up.
“But how much of that packaging was really necessary in the first place?”
“Excess packaging imposes a triple cost on us as consumers: we pay for it at the checkout counter; we pay for it to be disposed of and we bear the environmental costs.
“Manufacturers have a legal responsibility to minimise their packaging and to ensure as much of it as possible can be recycled. The examples I have highlighted demonstrate that this is clearly not happening.
“Tackling excess packaging must also be a central objective for our governments. At Westminster Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson is leading the fight to change the law on packaging. But this doesn’t mean that the Scottish Government can wash its hands of this issue.
“Ministers must work with product designers and manufacturers to encourage them to use sustainable designs and materials.
“The SNP government should also develop improved packaging guidelines and should make it easier for consumers to complain if they feel the packaging of products is unnecessary.”