LIB DEMS IN DRIVE TO TACKLE EXCESS PACKAGING

3.12.10pm GMT Tue 29th Apr 2008

Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Jim Hume MSP has launched a campaign to tackle excess packaging in Scotland.

Mr Hume has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament warning the Scottish Government not to wash its hands of the issue and urging Ministers to take decisive action to tackle excess packaging.

Speaking after visiting Eco Deco, a waste management centre in the South of Scotland, Mr Hume said:

"Eco Deco is doing a great job. It's really encouraging to see this facility using the latest technology to extract all useful resources from household rubbish to minimise the amount of waste that ends up in landfill sites. But prevention is always better than cure, which is why I'm launching my campaign to tackle excess packaging.

"Much of the legislation governing excess packaging is reserved to Westminster where Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson is leading the fight to change the law on packaging.

"The Scottish Government cannot wash its hands of this issue however. I want to see tackling excess packaging as a central objective for the Scottish Government's Supermarket Summit. There are several other devolved areas where Ministers can take action, including working with product designers and manufacturers to encourage them to use sustainable designs and materials. Ministers could also develop improved packaging guidelines and should make it easier for consumers to complain if they feel the packaging around products is unnecessary."