More companies in the north of England may be using Fix-a-Form leaflet labels soon after a council announced it is to crack down on excessive packaging.

East Riding Council explained that Christmas is a common period when businesses can be wasteful, as more items are bought and sold than at any other time of year, the Goole Courier reports.

However, trading standards manager Colin Briggs warned that the authority has the power to issue fines for firms that are tempted to over-package things.

He pointed out that there has never been an easier time to reduce packaging, with more recyclable, reusable or refillable materials available than ever.

"There are still, occasionally, products which have too much packaging and it is these instances where we will consider whether to take action," Mr Briggs concluded.

The Trading Standards Institute is to host a conference next week entitled Excess Sent Packing - Optimising Packaging Whilst Increasing Your Bottom Line in a bid to help business owners with this issue.

Fix-a-Form leaflet labels could also help with providing information in a limited space.

Denny Bros Ltd, 20 September 2011