Introduction

Packaging is a material that's used to to protect, handle, deliver or present goods. It's there to provide information or instructions about what's inside and some packaging is required by law. Packaging is also necessary for hygiene. For instance it provides protection from contamination, which is particularly important for food that is eaten raw or straight from the pack.

Packaging can extend the life of perishables and thus prevent food wastage. For example, an unwrapped cucumber loses moisture and becomes dull and unsaleable within three days. Just 1.5 grams of wrapping round a cucumber can keep it fresh for 14 days.

However, there is a growing concern that too much packaging is used for commodities. Consumers are demanding that it should minimised; made from a greater proportion of recycled content and that more of it should be easily recycled.

The Producer Responsibility Regulations (1997) and Essential Requirements Regulations (1998) were introduced to regulate packaging. Government, retailers and manufacturers and industry associations are working with councils to ensure these laws are applied and enforced effectively.

Recycling symbols explained

Plastic symbols explained (pdf, 248kb) (opens in a new window)

New recycling symbols explained (pdf, 91kb) (opens in a new window)

Please note that these information sheets are included so that you can understand the meaning of national symbols used. In Dorset, the only type of plastics that can be recycled are plastic bottles.

Progress in improving packaging

The Courtauld Committment (opens in a new window)  is a voluntary agreement between WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) and major UK grocery organisations. It is working towards less packaging and food waste ending up in household bins.

Recently, eight of the UK's top DIY retailers and brands have signed an agreement to reduce packaging and waste to landfill under the Home Improvement Sector Commitment. The commitment is based on The Court auld Commitment.

For further details about progress made by retailers, read the article written by Recycle Now, What's been done so far? (pdf, 102kb) (opens in a new window)  and also a summary written by WRAP, Packaging Optimisation (pdf, 535kb) (opens in a new window)

Further Information

 For further information, download our leaflet (pdf, 498kb) (opens in a new window)

You can also download a booklet called Packaging in perspective (opens in a new window) , produced by the Packaging Federation. (This has a large memory size and may take a while to download)