WI highlight naked truth on packaging - Horwood

8.50.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Jun 2006

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, Martin Horwood MP, has backed today's Women's Institute (WI) Packaging Day of Action.

Commenting on the campaign, Mr Horwood said "The figures revealed by the WI are shocking. More than 4.6 million tonnes of household waste every year is caused by packaging. Packaging also accounts for 17 percent of the average household food budget.

"Everyone is fed up with fighting their way through layers of cardboard and plastic to find a large amount of air along with products Supermarkets are not the only culprits. Everything from confectioneries to electronic products are puffed up by the marketing industry to look good on the shelves.

"I am going to write to major retailers and manufacturers and ask for their response to the WI's call for less wasteful and excessive packaging."