§ Mr. Geoffrey Lloydasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of his consideration of the question of the disposal of non-returnable plastic containers.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Working Party on Refuse Disposal recommended intensive study of packaging in relation to re-use or disposal. Officials of my Department will be considering with the other Departments concerned how best this recommendation can be taken further. The packaging industry has been responsible for considerable improvements in the packaging of food and some other consumer goods, but would be well advised to guard against over-elaborate packaging and the extension of sales practices which create disposal problems. I would wish to emphasise, however, that all unwanted non-returnable containers, whether of plastic or other material, should be disposed of to dustbins or litter bins in a manner befitting a civilised people. If this were done we would not only reduce the litter problem but we would also be in a better position to estimate the effect of non-returnable containers on refuse collection and disposal services generally.