Comments on: The future of packaging: a case for “radical collaboration”

By: Hannah Clinch

Hannah Clinch — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 05:24:25 +0000

If producer responsibility for packaging was taken seriously, I suspect standardisation in packaging would happen more rapidly.

Today we expect local authorities to respond to the burden of consumer choices and a diverse range of packaging solutions that can’t be reused or recycled in the same way across the UK. If producers had to handle and pay for reuse, or dispose of packaging waste, I am pretty sure things would change radically and at scale. However, we don’t yet have the legislative framework for this, and as much as collaboration is needed, so is a joined up policy framework that forces producers to design out waste and design in solutions.

By: Caroline Norman

Caroline Norman — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 20:07:32 +0000

Yes, we need change and it is exasperating how little ownership is being taken by producers, retailers and the government. While producers and retailers are driven by the commercial imperative it is unrealistic to propose the end of competition. The only way we can expect them to be responsible is if there’s a level playing field and this needs to be dictated by legislation. We should learn other European countries and we need tough minded politicians who are willing to resist the lobbyists. And as individuals, of course, we can always apply pressure by returning packaging direct to the retailers.