The government is set to plough £8 million into a scheme to stimulate innovative packaging design.

Elliot Morley, environment minister, launched the Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund, this week, with the aim of reducing post-consumer household food and packaging waste.

The Waste and Resources Action Programme will manage the fund and work closely with retailers and their supply chains to deliver real change.

Morley said: “This is a major step forward in reducing the 30 million tonnes of household waste that is produced every year.”

“I am delighted that the retail sector has thrown its support behind this ground-breaking initiative. I am looking forward to seeing high quality projects which bring savings to the retailers and their suppliers and reduce householder waste.”