"CUT UNNECESSARY PACKAGING THIS EASTER", URGES LOCAL MP

11.32.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Apr 2009

Andrew Stunell signs the pledge

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell joined with Cadbury and the National Trust to cut down on unnecessary packaging this Easter at an event last week in Westminster.

Mr Stunell pledged to avoid buying products with too much packaging and to recycle more plastic and cardboard waste. Mr Stunell also lent his support to Cadbury's commitment to cut packaging on its Easter "Eco-Eggs" as part of its "Purple Goes Green" environmental initiative.

For those shoppers who still want a traditional egg in a presentation box, Cadbury is cutting the packaging on its Medium boxed eggs by 25% and Large boxed eggs by 30%

Mr Stunell is no stranger to the fight against excess packaging, having introduced his Retail Packaging Recycling Bill, designed to require all large shops to accept packaging returned by customers, in the House of Commons in 2007.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"It is great to see companies like Cadbury taking action to protect the environment, but it is important for everyone to play their part.

"Every time you recycle a ton of newspapers, you save 24 trees, so just making sure you recycle your copy of the Stockport Express each week is going help.

"Thanks to this good idea from Cadbury everyone can eat their Easter Egg knowing its environmental impact has been reduced. Just don't forget to recycle its packaging!"

ENDS

N.B. To find out where your nearest National Trust Easter Egg Trail, supported by Cadbury, is visit http://www.eastereggtrail.com/Site.aspx