10 June 2011

Packaging around toys to be slashed under Government plans
Cardboard and polystyrene packaging around children's toys, which quickly overwhelms household bins on birthdays and at Christmas, is set to be cut back, under Government plans.

Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, will announce plans to try extend a voluntary code on cutting packaging around food to childrens toys in the result of an official review of waste policy.

If the move proves successful, it will be extended to other household items, like mobile phones and electrical goods like microwaves and toasters.

Mrs Spelman has invited trade bodies and toy makers to join a working group to cut down on waste around toys.

Officials have already started talks with the British Toy and Hobby Association about building up some figures on the scale of the problem.

Argos, one of the UKs biggest toy retailers, and the manufacturer Hasbro have also expressed an interest in cutting down on packaging.

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