The paradox of packaging

Fifty years ago, very little of the packaging we see today existed. But as consumers grew more affluent, they demanded a wider range of products and the convenience that comes with having them packaged up. Packaging is now everywhere, helping to ensure products reach their end user in perfect condition. But its visibility has caused a backlash. So how much packaging is produced, how does the UK measure up, what is being done with the waste and how are consumer perceptions shifting?