Industry 'should work together' on packaging

The retail industry must work together to address the environmental impact of packaging, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has said.

The ACS was responding to comments made over the weekend by government advisor Professor Chris Coggins. Speaking to the BBC, Professor Coggins said that the government's plans to curb single-use plastic carrier bags were a 'diversion', and that plastic bags represented a very small proportion of waste.

"Supermarkets have a much bigger role to play in influencing the packaging they use," said Professor Coggins. "They have power in terms of what they buy and how it's packed."

The ACS, which opposes an outright ban on plastic bags, agreed that small retailers also had a role to play in reducing packaging waste. Speaking to More Than Business News, chief executive James Lowman said: "There is an ongoing challenge for the industry as a whole to reduce the environmental impact of the packaging we use."

"All suppliers, retailers and consumers have to work together to effect a real and long-term change to our attitude to food packaging.

"Things aren't going to change overnight, but small retailers have their part to play," he added. "Bigger customers tend to have greater sway over their suppliers than smaller ones, but on this issue the key is for everyone to work together, that's how long-term change can be achieved."