Consumer group ‘Which?’ is urging the government to introduce compulsory “clear and simple” recycling labelling on all plastic packaging as its new research reveals huge inconsistencies involving myriad different schemes, with some items not labelled at all.
Its analysis of the packaging used for 27 everyday own-brand items at 10 major chains found that Lidl had the lowest proportion of widely recyclable packaging at 71%. Iceland (73%), Ocado (74%) and Sainsbury’s (75%) were also close to the bottom of the pile. Overall, the analysis found that up to 29% of plastic packaging was not widely recyclable.
The guardian.com reported how the best performer was Morrisons with easily recyclable packaging for 81% of its tested products. For example, Morrisons’ chocolate cake was in a widely recyclable plastic box, while Lidl’s cake came in mixed packaging comprising a non-recyclable film within a widely recyclable box with a non-recyclable window.
