I have a lot of sympathy with the council's frustration and I suspect that this case is about highlighting an issue to consumers rather than using the law to force Sainsbury's to change their practices.
Ultimately the power to force supermarkets behaviour lies with us, the consumers. The problem is that we are hypocrites. I hear parents moan about the mountain of cardboard, plastic and bendy wires that comes with any and every toy we buy for our children. But would we be happy if the toy came in plain cardboard box with a picture on the front rather than a nice window with a chance to press the button which makes it go whizzzzzzz?The Sainsbury's beef in question comes shrink wrapped, on a plastic tray, with a clear plastic covering and a cardboard sleeve. Would they sell as much if it was just shrink wrapped with an information sticker on the wrapping? They clearly believe not, or more significantly they know know that we won't because they've market tested alternatives.
We bemoan the loss of local shops, oppose to planning applications from supermarkets but the flock to them when they are opened. Whether packaging or planning, supermarkets follow our lead, they respond to our market demands, if we want them to change their behaviour we have to change ours.
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Whilst I agree with the principle, it's a tad hypocritical for a council to sue Sainsbury's. Council's churn out mountains of unnecessary paperwork every day, minuting pointless meetings and then sending them to all and sundry.
Add to that Councils like Greenwich, whose propaganda rag can be found blowing around that shabby borough on any given day and it's the councils who really need to addeess the needless waste problem first.
Hi James,
This is a very fair argument. What I think is worth taking into account, however, is just how irrational our human decision-making systems are when it comes to split-second choices.
I suspect most people, when giving it careful thought, would like to buy products with less packaging. I don't think the fact that our actions in the supermarket aren't in sync with that viewpoint renders it any less valid. Rather, I think it means we might need to recognise our weakness and counter it with corresponding regulation.
I certainly wouldn't buy this joint with its excessive packaging as I make an effort to shop smartly and avoid producing waste in the first place.
I wonder if people like me inform their market research whatsoever? But then I would be unlikely to buy a joint of beef anyway!
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