'Another year of excessive packaging' - the LGA responds to delay to EPR

THE Environment Spokesperson for the LGA, Cllr Darren Rodwell, said:- "The decision to delay the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is disappointing for Councils. It means we lose crucial momentum on ambitions to clean up our environment, while Council taxpayers continue to pay for dealing with unnecessary and unrecyclable waste. Good packaging can be important for keeping products fresh and intact. But everybody can see the unnecessary waste, across our shop shelves, delivered to our homes, and into our bins. For instance the UK gets through 6 billion bags of crisps a year, but there is usually more packet than crisps, they are nearly impossible to recycle, and that is just 1 item. The delay means there will be another year of excessive packaging impacting our environment and climate change, and further uncertainties and delays causing Councils real difficulties in managing their long-term waste contracts. It is crucial now that Government, industry and Councils all put the foot to the floor in planning full implementation from 2025, and that Government extend EPR to cover other material types beyond just packaging."

Reasons for retail optimism as small firms urged to have their say in FSB High Street survey

COMMENT from FSB Merseyside and Cheshire's Phil McCabe:- "Hot on the heels of latest ONS statistics showing a 0.5% rise in retail sales volumes in April, after a fall of 1.2% in March, business owners are being urged to support FSB's work to help small High Street shops by taking part in our major new Future of the High Street survey. The survey, which considers issues ranging from business rate relief, public transport and parking to access to cash and street cleaning, runs from 13 July to the 27 July and can be found at FSBBigVoice.Co.UK. The findings will be analysed, and recommendations then submitted to the UK and national/Regional/local Government to help the City's High Streets to flourish into the future."

FSB Merseyside and Cheshire representative Phil McCabe added that:- "These statistics prove the enduring potential of our High Streets. A rise of 0.8% in sales in the 3 months to April 2023 tells us that our traditional High Street still holds its own in the business arena. It's a feather in the cap of the nimble High Street retailers that stay 1 step ahead of market shifts and trends. However, it's not all rosy, with rising interest rates and concerns about consumer demand. There are still huge roads ahead for our High Street stores who are wrestling with business rates, VAT, late payments and poor transport links. Only with certainty and support can the full potential of these small firms can be realised. That's why swift action is crucial. We need as many SMEs as possible to take part in our Future of the High Street survey. When our High Streets thrive, so does the rest of the business sector and the more participants we get, the louder voice for us all. Share your stories about dealing with business rates, transport, parking, access to cash; and let us know what changes you think could spark a revolution for our High Streets. Now is the time to bring new life to our High Streets with fresh, bold ideas backed by sound public policies."

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Make a:- 'Card Commitment' before 31 July deadline, urges the GCA

IT'S just days before millions of non-barcoded Royal Mail stamps become invalid, and the UK's Greeting Card Association is asking Brits to use 1 of those stamps this week to change someone's life.

Before the 31 July expiration date, the GCA, which is proud to represent many local High Street card retailers, is encouraging people this week to make a:- 'card commitment,' using 1 of those stamps to bring the power of thoughtfulness to someone who really needs it.

"Sending and exchanging cards promotes wellbeing and mental health, lighting up the life of recipients and senders alike. What's more that simple act nurtures local independent businesses on the High Streets we all love, supports local charities and organisations in the communities we care for and helps protect the Royal Mail delivery service we all treasure. The use of an expiring stamp next week to connect with someone who would love to know you're in their thoughts, would be a small act that may have an incredible impact." said GCA's Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Fergusson.

The GCA will encourage Brits making a #Cardmitment this week to share their card sending stories on the GCA's Instagram site and social media feeds of its 500 members; from small High Street card retailers to some of the largest publishers in a creative industry worth over £1.5bn to the UK economy.

The altruistic act of sending a card can be powerful, reducing the sender and recipient's negativity, stress and loneliness, and promoting positive mental health.

Sending greeting cards can be a way to spread kindness and positivity, and doing so makes the sender and recipient feel connected, and better about themselves.

The suggestion marks the beginning of a significant GCA #Cardmitment campaign that, over the coming months, will highlight how powerful the simple, British act of sending a card can be to individuals, communities and society.