A staggering 300 million Easter eggs are produced each year - that's the equivalent of 30 million for Scotland that will generate 300 tonnes of waste in the process.

Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead has encouraged everyone to enjoy their eggs but to recycle the boxes afterwards.

He also called on manufacturers to lead the way in reducing packaging ahead of next Easter, and said he would take this up with them later this year.


Mr Lochhead said: "We all enjoy Easter eggs - around 30 million are produced for Scotland each year.

"But this means there is a lot of cardboard and other packaging left that people traditionally put in the bin.

"Producers are beginning to reduce packaging for different types of food including Easter eggs. This is encouraging but more needs to be done as we work towards a zero waste Scotland.

"This year I want Scots to go the eggs-tra mile and recycle as much of their Easter egg packaging as possible."

(CD/JM)