MPs sign up to the campaign against excess packaging
By Martin Hickman, Consumer Affairs Correspondent
Published: 27 April 2007
More than 100 MPs have backed The Independent's campaign against excessive packaging as political support grows for action to reduce the millions of tonnes of wrappers and cartons dumped in the nation's bins.
A Commons motion condemning the sheer waste of such large quantities of plastic and paper, and urging manufacturers to cut their use of packaging has been signed by 112 MPs from all parties and parts of the United Kingdom.
Now The Independent is calling for people to have their voice heard on the issue by lobbying their MP to join the protest.
A groundswell of parliamentary support for Early Day Motion 814 will show the Government the force of public opinion on the issue and increase the chances of legislation reaching the statute book.
Tabled a few days after we began our Campaign Against Waste on 22 January, EDM 814 commends the campaign against excessive packaging run by The Independent and calls on shops to tackle the problem and to encourage suppliers to do likewise.
It points out that packaging takes up 17 per cent of the annual food budget and generates 4.6 million tonnes of household rubbish a year.
So far, The Independent's campaign has exposed how scores of everyday products are over-packaged in wrappers, trays and cartons made from finite natural resources such as oil.
In a sign that pressure on the issue is increasing, two MPs who have signed are now threatening to table private members' Bills to eradicate unnecessary packaging once and for all.
One Bill would directly confront shops with the problems their waste causes by requiring them to take back packaging from shoppers. Another would tighten regulations that offer loopholes to manufacturers. Parliamentary questions and a Commons debate are also being planned.
The willingness of MPs to legislate is evidence of a hardening of attitudes among politicians to packaging, which is deeply unpopular with many voters.
Public concern has already forced retailers to show they are serious about halting the plastic detritus accumulated on shopping trips. The main supermarket groups have announced targets for reductions in packaging of between 5 and 25 per cent.
This week Sainsbury's put on sale 20,000 cotton bags by the designer Anya Hindmarch as an alternative to disposable bags, prompting shoppers to begin queuing at 2am. Yesterday, Asda announced that it was asking shoppers at two of its northern stores to dump unnecessary packaging in wheelie bins.
But MPs are concerned that the voluntary Courtauld commitment, agreed to by retailers to reduce packaging by 2010, does not go far enough. A survey of Easter eggs last month found that they consisted of as much as 90 per cent packaging.
Questions have been asked in Parliament about why statutory and voluntary measures have failed to prevent examples of excessive packaging appearing in almost every high street store.
The Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, whose persistence led to the disclosure of MPs' travel expenses after a two-year battle, is one of the parliamentarians agitating for change. Mr Baker, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Environment Group, said: "I think the public out there and the MPs in here resent excess packaging."
A fellow campaigner, Andrew Stunnell MP, has introduced a 10-minute rule Bill that would allow customers to take back packaging to the shops. He intends to enshrine the proposal in a private members' Bill unless there is a dramatic improvement in packaging or a seismic political event alters his plans. Mr Stunnell said: "You and I are spending £470 on packaging each year which we throw away, which is not needed. And then someone else is paying a lot of landfill tax to put it in a hole in the ground, which is not needed.
"Putting a little bit of pressure on the commercial companies to act is what's needed."
Jo Swinson, of the Liberal Democrats, who tabled the EDM, is also considering bringing forward a bill.
"In six months' time there might be other pressing issues that come to the fore but I will be seriously, seriously considering packaging and be encouraging others to do so," she said.
First, the MP will investigate why only a handful of companies have been prosecuted under the 2003 Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations. The law is intended to prevent excess wrapping but has loopholes allowing excess waste where there is "consumer acceptance", or where it is needed to "provide identification" or for "stimulating purchase".
"We have got these regulations: why aren't they working?" asked Mrs Swinson. She and her fellow MPs will learn whether they can table legislation in November after the annual ballot of places for private members' bills.
In the meantime, Mrs Swinson intends to call a Commons debate on packaging that would be answered by a government minister.
"I think that packaging is something that increasingly resonates across society," she said.
"Every time you go to the supermarket checkout it confronts you. A lot of the time there are things going into bins that aren't even recyclable. And there's too much going in anyway."
Concern about levels of rubbish are shared by local politicians, who are facing a 33 per cent rise in landfill next year. Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, chairman of the Local Government Association, which represents councils, warned yesterday that, at the present rate of dumping, landfill space would run out in nine years.
"Britain is the dustbin of Europe with more rubbish being thrown into landfill than any other country on the continent," Mr Bruce-Lockhart said. "For decades people have been used to being able to throw their rubbish away without worrying about environmental consequences or rising costs. Those days are now over."
The Early Day Motion and the MPs who have signed it
That this House notes with concern the excessive levels of packaging used by manufacturers and retailers, accounting for 4.6 million tonnes of household waste every year and 17 per cent of the average household food budget; commends the recent campaign against excessive packaging run by The Independent newspaper; and urges supermarkets to reduce where possible packaging on goods sold, encourage the re-use of plastic bags, recycle packaging waste and encourage suppliers to reduce packaging further up the supply chain.
The following 112 MPs have signed the Motion:
David Anderson Blaydon, Lab
Norman Baker Lewes, Lib Dem
Kevin Barron Rother Valley, Lab
AlanJ Beith Berwick-upon-Tweed, Lib Dem
Peter Bottomley Worthing West, Con
Tom Brake Carshalton and Wallington, Lib Dem
Colin Breed South East Cornwall, Lib Dem
Jeremy Browne Taunton, Lib Dem
Malcolm Bruce Gordon, Lib Dem
David Burrowes Enfield Southgate, Con
Lorely Burt Solihull, Lib Dem
John Butterfill Bournemouth West, Con
Vincent Cable Twickenham, Lib Dem
Gregory Campbell East Londonderry, DUP
Martin Caton Gower, Labour
Katy Clark North Ayrshire and Arran, Labour
Nick Clegg Sheffield Hallam, Lib Dem
Derek Conway Old Bexley and Sidcup, Con
Frank Cook Stockton North, Lab
Jeremy Corbyn Islington North, Lab
Stephen Crabb Preseli Pembrokeshire, Con
David Crausby Bolton North East, Lab
Ann Cryer Keighley, Lab
John Cummings Easington, Lab
Edward Davey Kingston and Surbiton, Lib Dem
Ian Davidson Glasgow South West, Lab
Dai Davies Blaenau Gwent, Ind
Janet Dean Burton, Lab
Andrew Dismore Hendon, Lab
Jeffrey Donaldson Lagan Valley, DUP
David Drew Stroud, Lab
Philip Dunne Ludlow, Con
Mark Durkan Foyle, Social Dem and Labour Party
Jeff Ennis Barnsley East and Mexborough, Lab
Bill Etherington Sunderland North, Lab
Nigel Evans Ribble Valley, Con
David Evennett Bexleyheath and Crayford, Con
Timothy Farron Westmorland and Lonsdale, Lib Dem
Lynne Featherstone Hornsley and Wood Green, Lib Dem
Don Foster Bath, Lib Dem
Neil Gerrard Walthamstow, Lab
Andrew George St Ives, Lib Dem
Sandra Gidley Romsey, Lib Dem
Julia Goldsworthy Falmouth and Camborne, Lib Dem
Mike Hancock Portsmouth South, Lib Dem
Nick Harvey N. Devon, Lib Dem
David Heath Somerton and Frome, Lib Dem
John Hemming Birmingham, Yardley, Lib Dem
David Heyes Ashton-under-Lyne, Lab
Sharon Hodgson Gateshead East and Washington West, Lab
Paul Holmes Chesterfield, Lib Dem
Kevin Hopkins Luton North, Lab
Lindsay Hoyle Chorley, Lab
Chris Huhne Eastleigh, Lib Dem
Mark Hunter Cheadle, Lib Dem
Brian Iddon Bolton South East, Lab
Glenda Jackson Hampstead and Highgate, Lab
Brain Jenkins Tamworth, Lab
Lynne Jones Birmingham Selly Oak, Lab
Daniel Kawczynski Shrewsbury and Atcham, Con
Charles Kennedy Ross Skye and Lochaber, Lib Dem
Robert Key Salisbury, Con
Susan Kramer Richmond Park, Lib Dem
Norman Lamb N. Norfolk, Lib Dem
David Laws Yeovil, Lib Dem
John Leech Manchester Withington, Lib Dem
David Lepper Brighton Pavilion, Lab
Tony Lloyd Manchester Cen., Lab
Elfyn Llwyd Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Plaid Cymru
Tim Loughton East Worthing and Shoreham, Con
Rob Marris Wolverhampton South West, Lab
Gordon Marsden Blackpool South, Lab
Chris McCafferty Calder Valley, Lab
William McCrea S. Antrim, DUP
Alasdair McDonnell Belfast South, SDLP
John McDonnell Hayes and Harlington, Lab
Alan Meale Mansfield, Lab
Madeleine Moon Bridgend, Lab
Elliot Morley Scunthorpe, Lab
Greg Mulholland Leeds North West, Lib Dem
Doug Naysmith Bristol NW, Lab
Andrew Pelling Croydon Cen, Con
Mike Penning Hemel Hempstead, Con
Willie Rennie, Dunfermline and West Fife, Lib Dem
Paul Rowen Rochdale, Lib Dem
Joan Ruddock Lewisham Deptford, Lab
Bob Russell Colchester, Lib Dem
Martin Salter Reading W, Lab
Adrian Sanders Torbay, Lib Dem
Barry Sheerman Huddersfield, Lab
Alan Simpson Nottingham S, Lab
David Simpson Upper Bann, DUP
Peter Soulsby Leicester S, Lab
Bob Spink Castle Point, Con
Ian Stewart Eccles, Lab
Andrew Stunell Hazel Grove, Lib Dem
David Taylor North West Leicestershire, Lab
Matthew Taylor Truro and St Austell, Lib Dem
John Thurso Caithness Sunderland and Easter Ross, Lib Dem
Rudi Vis Finchley and Golders Green, Lab
Steve Webb Northavon, Lib Dem
Betty Williams Conway, Lab
Hywel Williams Caernarfon, Plaid Cymru
Mark Williams Ceredigion, Lib Dem
Roger Williams Brecon and Radnorshire, Lib Dem
Stephen Williams Bristol West, Lib Dem
Phil Willis Harrogate and Knaresborough, Lib Dem
Jenny Willott Cardiff Cen, Lib Dem
Nicholas Winterton Macclesfield, Con
Mike Wood Batley and Spen, Lab
Derek Wyatt Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Lab
Richard Younger-Ross Teignbridge, Lib Dem
Lobby your MP
* If you are fed up with receiving so much rubbish with your shopping, lobby your MP to sign Early Day Motion 814.
* You can contact your MP by email, post and phone or in person at the Commons, or in your constituency.
* The email address for MPs follows a formula; surname then initial @ parliament.uk, so Hazel Blears' address is <mailto:blearsh@parliament.uk>blearsh@ parliament.uk. The postal address is House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. The Commons switchboard number is 020-7219 3000. Ask for your MP and you will be put through to their office.
* You also have a right to lobby your MP in person by turning up at Parliament and asking to see them. Alternatively, make an appointment by checking at your MP's constituency surgery.
As well as being irritating and unnecessary, excess packaging is a waste of resources, increases pollution, contributes to climate change, and squanders precious landfill space.
Commons voices
Alan Simpson, Labour MP for Nottingham South
"If the supermarkets and the Government take no notice of The Independent's campaign, the next step will be for consumers to unpack goods and leave the packaging on the counter."
Mike Penning, Conservative MP for Hemel Hempstead
"This is a complex issue and government has a role - but consumer pressure is the way we will tackle this."
Elliot Morley, Labour MP for Scunthorpe and former environment minister
"If we do not see reductions in waste and packaging, we are going to pay a high price."
Jo Swinson, Lib Dem MP for Dunbartonshire East
"Packaging is far too often not recyclable, and that's very frustrating for consumers."
Peter Ainsworth, shadow Environment Secretary
"Everywhere I go people are doing their best to try to reducewaste ... It is for industry to respond."
Martin Salter, Labour MP for Reading West
"As a former dustman it amazes me how much bigger the bins have grown ... That is partly due to the destructive way in which goods are packaged. I back The Independent's campaign to the hilt."
Chris Huhne, Lib Dem environment spokesman
"We should be looking at the possibility of legislation so that shops are required to take back packaging from consumers."
Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. We are trying to reach 1,000 signatures - please sign here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/553056460
Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and family to sign as well.
After the first meeting during the Global Meeting in Venice (that took place at the end of March 2007), people from various Social Centers (Italy) and people from the Antiauthoritarian Movement (Greece) called the International Meeting during the 3rd G8-Action-Conference in Rostock, Germany.
STATEMENT We met today on the 14th of Αpril, we are people of different territories and countries of Europe. We participate in the third Action Conference against the G8 Summit in Rostock. Several of us took part in the Global Meeting organized on the 31th of Μarch in Venice, where we began to coordinate on an European level. Facing our committements to participate in the protest and actions against the G8 summit, we want to share some agreements about borders control and freedom of movement.
We state that:
1) All human beings must have a freedom of movement in a Europe and in a world without borders.
2) We refuse any control, repression and ban used by European polices to stop peoples moving toward the protest against the G8, and we reject any classification and discrimination between protesters.
3) We will express solidarity to people facing problems at the borders and we will coordinate efforts to guarantee the right of movement through the first week of June.
4) A political Europe already exists and it's based on border control and capitalistic economy, instead we are building another Europe of equality, justice and equal rights for all.
5) We call for actions of solidarity on embassies, consulates, Goethe-Institutes, German enterprises all over Europe and the world. In this context we will respect every form of action and protest.
This text has been discussed and supported by participants from Greece, Italy, Poland, Russia, Latvia, Estonia, France, U.K., Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Netherlands, U.S.A. and Canada.
Call for Weekend of Resistance Against the "Green Scare" June 9 - 11, 2006
by Jeff Free Luers
This June marks my 6th year in prison. From behind these walls I have strived to remain an active part of this struggle; from contributing to the dialogue and discussion of tactics, to furthering the debate on climate change in the public. Perhaps most importantly I am proof that prison cannot crush the spirit of resistance.
This year has seen an increase in state repression against activists and radicals alike. It is truly a scary time. We all know about the "Red Scare" - the government's attempt to justify repression by labeling dissidents "communists" back in the 1950's. Today we see their "Green Scare" attempt to crush resistance by labeling them "eco-terrorists."
For the last three years, June 11th has been celebrated as an international day of solidarity with me, Jeffrey Luers. I have been overjoyed with a sense of love & pride at the support I have received from around the world. My deepest and sincerest thanks go out to all of you.
Right now there are more than a dozen people sitting in American jails (or on strict bail release) accused of Earth/Animal Liberation Front actions. Six people were originally arrested. These arrests were based almost entirely on the testimony of one police informant, Jacob Ferguson. Bill Rodgers - accused of multiple arsons - took his own life in a jail cell. Unfortunately, several of those arrested are now cooperating with the state.
These defendants are facing ridiculous charges and a draconian amount of time.
This June, I ask you to show them the solidarity that you have shown me. I ask that foremost in your mind be the thought that the state is trying to break this struggle with repressive and intimidating arrests and sentences. I hope you understand that it's not just those of us in prison being punished with these sentences; they are designed to be examples to you, to frighten you into compliance. This June I'm asking you to demonstrate that you can't be intimidated. Celebrate your dissent, give it voice. Be loud. Be visible. If you have the ability, organize a reclaim the streets party or a critical mass.
If you are going to host a fundraiser or venue event, I ask that you donate all proceeds to the legal defense of those recently arrested who maintain integrity in the face of repression, whether they are innocent or guilty.
This June, show the world that the voice of truth will not be silenced by fear.
Contact Friends of Jeff Luers, PO Box 3, Eugene, OR 97440 USA or email freefreenow@mutualaid.org for organizing resources.
June 9 - 11, 2006, is a Weekend of Resistance Against the Green Scare. There is no central organizing body or group to check in with but the Jeff Luers Support Network can help by providing you with flyers, graphics, and merchandise such as videos, zines and stickers about Jeff and allies in the struggle. Begin planning your event now. Read more about the Green Scare defendants here. Plan an action that makes sense for your area: a demonstration, treesit, music festival, teach-in, stenciling campaign, rally, protests at an American consulate/embassy overseas or public forum. Circulate petitions. Contribute to the legal defense for the defendants. Do what you think is appropriate. But please remember when planning an action or event think about how it could affect the upcoming court cases. Ask yourself: does this help or hurt the defendants? Does this strengthen the movement or weaken it in the long-term?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- East Coast contact: Friends of Jeff 'Free' Luers-freefreenow@mutualaid.org
The Interview: Nathan Winograd from No Kill Solutions goes up against PETA's pro-killing stance of Pound Animals
He's vegan. His attitude is enlightened and revolutionary towards pound animals. His successes to date have been remarkable. Nathan Winograd is the guru of no-kill sheltering in the world today. He once said, "Once a fringe movement dismissed by the status quo, the no-kill movement is now only the legitimate standard for animal sheltering". No Kill is also the only legitimate standard for the animal rights movement to embrace as well. If the AR Movement refuses to embrace No-Kill options for all animals then not only will it have a credibility problem on its hands but also, if neglected, this one thing alone will plant the seed for the destruction of the continuance of the animal rights movement. Here he speaks with the Abolitionist.
"I am an ethical vegan and I don't think that's necessary to be a shelter director but you really want people who love animals and who hurt by the killing and if you hurt by the killing you will stop at nothing to save lives."
"I don't think most people know about PETA's position. I have a copy of a postcard Ingrid sent me back in 1992/3 where she says she does not believe in 'a right for life' for feral cats and she does have a policy against No-Kill shelters and there's the whole thing about the pitbulls." "Her position is these animals should be dead even in the face of life saving alternatives. Because of that, PETA have stopped making sense to us as vegans, as animal rights people, as animal lovers and we have chosen to focus on other groups that have a more enlightened stance when it comes to cats and dogs."
"{PETA} have a policy against No-Kill shelters and, my best guess is, that their founder Ingrid Newkirk rose from the ranks of animal control at the Washington Humane Society and actually spent a good part of her career killing animals instead of protecting them."
"As early as the mid- 1970's the Humane Society of the United States (HSU and all those large groups were opposing the very types of efforts that made San Francisco so incredibly successful. In fact right after San Francisco did achieve success the HSUS started vilification campaigns against no-kill. I believe there's a body count attached to their anti no-kill rhetoric and positions."
Also the Corrine Daws Interview: Making Sydney No-Kill
"In the last 10 years since my pound has been no-kill I have not once looked at a dog and thought, "You are a horrible dog. You don't deserve a home. You deserve to die"".
Television channels must not show any psychological or physical violence against humans or nonhuman animals in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Council for Electronic Media (CEM) (which is in charge of controlling the contents displayed in the media) has banned violence from television from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CEM has commented that the rule is an attempt to stop the negative influence that television can have on children.
This will include giving information in detail regarding crimes, as well as broadcasting images that might promote the consumption of drugs, among other images.
Those channels that break this new rule would have to pay a fine which could be of up to 7 600 euros. The Association of Bulgarian Broadcasters (ABBRO) has accused this decision to be an interference of the CEM in their work which means actual censorship and goes against the right of the public to be informed and the media to do their job freely.
This measure does not forbid harming animals, but simply doing it in such a way that can be violent (at least for children). In any case, it is interesting to note the fact that the CEM has implicitly assumed that it is not only humans that can be the victims of violence, since other animals can be so as well, which implies that they are sentient beings as humans are.
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