Why are businesses minimising packaging?

1. To meet Government regulations

The regulations below are part of  UK law that require many businesses to help fund the recycling of used packaging and to use the minimum amount of packaging:

• Packaging Waste Regulations 2007 show more
  Any company who has a turnover of £2 million or above and who handles over 50 tonnes of packaging in a calendar year, must pay a contribution towards and show that packaging waste has been recovered and recycled to meet national targets.

  The UK recycled over six million tonnes of packing waste in 2006 as a result of these regulations.

  The Packaging Waste Regulations are complex, but more information can be found at www.environment-agency.gov.uk and www.valpak.co.uk

• Essential requirements show more
  These requirements aim to minimise the amount of waste packaging generated at source and ensure that packaging can be reused, recovered or recycled.

  All companies who pack their products in packaging for the UK market must ensure that:

  • Packaging volume and weight must be the minimum amount to maintain necessary levels of safety, hygiene and acceptance for the packed product and for the consumer
  • Packaging must be manufactured to allow reuse or recovery in accordance with specific requirements
  • Noxious or hazardous substances in packaging must be minimised in emissions, ash or leachate from incineration or landfill

  If you think something has been over packaged, then visit the packaging submission form and tell us about it.

2. Reducing Costs


• reducing the amount of packaging saves material and energy
• less and better packaging can mean fewer lorries on the road
3. Competition

Reducing the amount of packaging, can reduce costs which means companies can pass the savings onto the consumer to gain a competitive advantage. Customers are also looking for more environmentally friendly companies and products.

How are businesses minimising packaging?

Businesses have been reducing their packaging for a long time now, did you know since the 1950's the weight of a milk glass bottle has been reduced by over 65%!

In 2005 a voluntary agreement called  the Courtauld Committment was signed by major grocery organisations and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) to support the reduction of packaging and food waste.

Use the link below to see how each company involved has and is working to minimise it's packaging and environmental footprint:

Courtauld Committment Case Studies

Other information

Click here to see how Silver Spoon have been minimising paper on the 500g, 1kg and 2kg sugar packs.

If your business has been involved in packaging minimisation, we'd love to hear about it. Email any details including images if available to recycle-more@valpak.co.uk