British gov't taking on packaging waste

Ran across this via AMERICAblog – The Independent and the British public have gotten over 100 Members of Parliament (MPs) to campaign against wasteful packaging. The Independent reported the following stats on the amount of waste packaging creates and costs:

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

How are they planning on tackling this issue? Below are some of the options:

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

Since The Independent started its Campaign Against Waste on the 22nd of January, some retailers have announced voluntary waste reduction plans:

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

Asda announced that it was asking shoppers at two of its northern stores to dump unnecessary packaging in wheelie bins

I have heard of little campaigns in the states that are taking on similar issues, mainly getting rid of plastic grocery bags, but I have not heard of any campaigns as large and successful as The Independent’s. And, unfortunately, I do not think waste reduction is even on congress’ radar. If anyone knows of waster reduction programs going on in the states, please let me know for I would like to get involved.