Retailer in UK slammed on social media for selling ‘Nothing’ Valentine’s gift with plastic packaging

UK chain’s attempt at gimmicky Valentine’s gift has backfired with social media users accusing the business of wasting harmful plastic.

A discount retailer has been slammed online for offering a Valentine’s Day gift of “Nothing!” wrapped in plastic.

The novelty gift is plastic packaging in the shape of a heart with phrases emblazoned across it, including, “Exactly what you asked for!” and “Less is more.”

But Poundland’s attempt at a giggle for consumers has been met with anger by social media users, who have labelled the product, made mostly of plastic, wasteful and harmful to the environment.

“This product is designed to go straight into the bin, but will last for 500 years,” said Sian Sutherland, a campaigner for A Plastic Planet.

She called the gift a symbol of “everything that is wrong with our view of the world”.

Social media users have labelled the item another problem in a "plastic pollution crisis".

Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down in the natural environment.

Efforts have been made by major retailers to cut back on the use of plastic including a total plastic bag ban by Coles and Woolworths. This is despite consumers finding it difficult to adjust, and implementation periods being stalled by complaints.

Recent campaigns have also been undertaken by Greenpeace and other environmental organisations to ban the use of single use plastics where possible.

“No Poundland this is NOT ‘just a bit of fun’,” wrote Steve Chapman on Twitter. “Tell that to the Turtle in this picture. Start being part of the solution and not a contributor to the problem.”

This is ridiculous and irresponsible @Poundland Really? Everything that is messed up and wrong with modern consumerism. #ditchtheplastic https://t.co/ZqEjG7DgiJ

— Steve Masters (@AnothervoiceWB) January 21, 2019

@Poundland you should be ashamed of yourselves selling the "gift of nothing" completely empty piece of non-recyclable plastic. Wake up. Consumers want and deserve better.

— Erica Ollikainen-Read (@Eriiica_x) January 22, 2019

This is utterly disgusting

Time for @Poundland to show a bit or real love for the planet, rather than offer empty love in polluting #plastic

Proof that we can't rely on business to solve #plasticpollution voluntarily. Govt needs to act.

https://t.co/AjD0zHoxWN via @MailOnline

— Craig Bennett (@CraigBennett3) January 21, 2019

Poundland have defended the item saying it is a “bit of fun” which is still allowed “in moderation”.

The company explained in a statement that the product was selling well in store and online.

“They all know it’s a bit of fun and we understand that’s still allowed in moderation,” the statement said.