The staggering statistic was raised as part of a new Fresher for Longer campaign which I had the pleasure of launching in March at Westminster. It was great to see MPs and representatives from packaging companies and high-street stores present at the launch and I have been informed the campaign beat Justin Bieber to trend number 1 on Twitter!
At the launch we heard that only 13% of the public realise that packaging can play an important role in protecting food in the home. The purpose of this Fresher for Longer campaign is to ensure greater awareness of the benefits of packaging. A helpful example of this is the humble cucumber: an unwrapped cucumber loses moisture and becomes dull and unsaleable within three days. With just 1.5 grams of wrapping keeping it fresh for 14 days, the merits of packaging become plainly obvious.
As well as the Parliamentary launch, I was pleased to organise a debate on this issue in Parliament in May. A Minister from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department attended the debate to respond to my speech and I am delighted he was in agreement with myself and others about the benefits of this campaign.
The Fresher for Longer campaign and its emphasis on the importance of packaging has been well received by consumers and retailers alike and I hope, and believe, this will continue. I remain committed to asking questions to Ministers and speaking on this subject in the Chamber when the opportunity presents itself. I am a passionate advocate of anything that may save residents of Rugby significant amounts of money and I hope that by informing consumers about the benefits of packaging we can do just that.
Further information
• A transcript of the Westminster Hall debate can be viewed here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm130424/hal…
• More information on the Fresher for Longer Campaign: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/