In July this year, Preston City Councillor John Potter submitted a notice of motion that would force new retail shops over a certain size to have an excess packaging bin so customers can discard excess packaging they don’t want or need. John’s motion states that any new retail applications over 350m² * will have to have the packaging bin in-store.

Cllr Potter said, “Every year Preston spends £2.5million on collecting our rubbish and recycling. This motion is about moving part of that responsibility onto the businesses that are putting too much packaging on the products we buy and use.”

Most people except that some packaging is needed but object to items like apples and potatoes needing plastic or polystyrene bases which is then further wrapped up in film. It’s excessive and we, the taxpayer, are paying for it to be produced and then paying for it again to be taken away.

Graham Thompson, Spokesman for Greenpeace UK, praised Cllr Potter’s motion saying, “The slogan ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ are in that order for a reason. The most efficient way to reduce the waste and energy use from packaging is to reduce the amount of packaging we use.”

Cllr Potter added, “Hopefully this will push businesses to reassess how much packaging they put on their products. Last year residents in Preston recycled 33% of their rubbish while businesses only managed to recycle 2.4% of their waste**. This motion would save the taxpayer money, ease the strain on council services and encourage businesses into greener and more cost effective methods.”

Despite the obvious benefits to Preston and to environment, however, this motion was voted down by both the Labour and Conservative groups on Preston City Council. This goes to show that only the Liberal Democrats can be trusted to be your voice for the environment on Preston City Council.

* The new Tesco Metro planned for the Tulketh Mill is 372m²

** Household 32,440 tons to landfill – 16,245 tons recycled

Businesses 4,906 tons to landfill – 121 tons recycled

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Notice of Motion in full

Notice of Motion

Excess Packaging

Preston City Council notes:

1.   Despite the tough economic climate in the country and Preston Council, in particular, we need to promote the city’s greener and cleaner future.

2.   As a city we need to reduce the amount of household waste we send to landfill

Council believes:

1. That businesses need to take a greater share of responsibility in dealing with excess and unwarranted packaging from hard-pressed residents and the council.

1. Additionally we believe that green initiatives can be both economically beneficial and environmentally friendly.

Council asks:

1. That all new retail applications over 350m² should have an internal packaging bin for customers to discard excess wrapping and packaging.

This would not only save taxpayers and the council money but also encourage businesses to resist putting inordinate amounts of packaging on their products.

Proposer: Councillor John Potter

Seconder: Councillor John Bruton

Lead Officer: Chief Executive

Report to: Cabinet

Find John’s original article here.

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