Everyone is aware of the problem of excessive packaging. Open 'big box' washing powders and they are often barely half full. A computer game comes not only with plastic cover, but with a cardboard box making it look twice the size.

This process puts the 'con' into consumer. Shoppers are deceived into thinking they are getting more for their money than is actually the case.

More importantly, this is a criminal waste of resources. Precious energy and materials are used up to make the unnecessary packaging, only for it to be dumped in a land fill site weeks later.

Tests by North Yorkshire Trading Standards found only nine out of 105 products made efficient use of packaging. That is a disgrace. Trading standards officials should throw the book at wrap-happy offenders.

see NEWS 'Boxing clever to beat wasteful packaging'

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