BUSINESSES in the region are being urged to do more to reduce the amount of packaging they produce.

Government-backed environmental organisation Envirowise says the UK used the packaging equivalent of 1.25 billion standard cardboard boxes last year.

Now Envirowise is calling on North-East manufacturers and retailers to design out unnecessary packaging.

Guy Bashford, Envirowise regional manager for the North-East, said: "Many products don't need room to breathe, so why are they surrounded by unnecessary air through over-sized or ill-fitting packaging?

"Some businesses could even be doubling their transport costs simply because their products are over-packed.

"And with 67 per cent of consumers surveyed always buying the least-packed product when given a choice, it is clear there is both an environmental and commercial motivation to act."

Jane Bickerstaffe, director of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment, said: "While companies spent £105m on recovering and recycling 60 per cent of used packaging last year, we know there is still room for improvement."

Companies seeking information on reducing packing waste are urged to visit www. envirowise.gov.uk/howmuchair

North-East businesses can also receive advice on a wide range of issues relating to resource efficiency by calling the Envirowise Helpline on 0800 585794.