When I go shopping in supermarkets I am instinctively sympathetic to those who complain about the quantity of packaging they use - as something that adds to the price at the till and imposes a burden on the environment.
But the packaging industry has come out fighting against proposals to restrict packaging. They say that greater consistency in the recycling schemes of local councils makes it hard to ensure their packaging is suitable for recycling everywhere. They say packaging reduces food waste and by allowing food to last longer means less frequent shopping trips are possible.
But do they really need to put bananas in plastic packaging?
> Today's Independent on Sunday: Councils blame supermarkets for £1.8bn cost of excess packaging
