POUNDLAND HAS been criticised for creating unnecessary plastic waste with its new Valentine’s Day product the ‘Gift of Nothing’.
The product is exactly what you would imagine it to be: a plastic, heart-shaped package containing absolutely nothing.
The taglines “exactly what you asked for” and “less is more” adorn the tongue-in-cheek gift’s box, but while the novelty gift might have been designed to elicit laughs few environmental groups are seeing the funny side.
Speaking to the Press Association, Julian Kirby from Friends of Earth criticised the discount retailer for going against its campaign to reduce unnecessary plastic use.
“The rest of the world sees the need for only the most essential plastics, with a fast phase-out of all other wasteful plastics, so let’s hope folly like this goes unloved and doesn’t re-appear,” he said.
Sian Sutherland, co-founder of anti-Plastic campaign group A Plastic Planet concurred asking: “How can Poundland possibly think this is OK?
“This product is designed to go straight into the bin but will last for 500 years.
“It is a symbol of everything that is wrong with our view of the world. We are treating our beautiful planet like it is disposable when it is all we have.”
It’s also been widely condemned online with many people taking to Twitter to voice their anger at the perceived waste of creating this kind of product.
Is this really a thing @Poundland ? Didn’t you get the #plasticfree memo?
Thoughts everyone? #plasticfreecommunities #surfersagainstsewage @EKOearth_ 📸 pic.twitter.com/PtqjDdspmU— Surfers Against Sewage (@sascampaigns) January 20, 2019
To all the ladies out there please don't tell your other halfs you want nothing for Valentine's Day cos courtesy of Poundland this might just be what you get 😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/H7023lPW2M
— Kim Patterson (@KimxPx) January 16, 2019
The 2019 award for 'trying your luck' goes to @Poundland, for its 'nothing' Valentine's present that still costs a quid! 😂 pic.twitter.com/kFKsWmFzRT
— Lotty Earns (@lottyburns) January 16, 2019
Poundland has defended its decision to stock the ‘Gift of Nothing’ though, arguing that it is “a bit of fun”.
“Our customers love it as do loads of others online,” the company said in a statement.
“They all know it’s a bit of fun and we understand that’s still allowed in moderation.”
