Edie reports that research by the Co-op has indicated that some 2/3rds of recyclable plastic waste in the UK is actually going to landfill or being incinerated. As with most commercially sponsored research the report is partly a puff for the Co-op's eco-credentials. Never-the-less, if this conclusion is close to the truth that is a terrible indictment of consumers' indifference, manufacturers' unhelpfulness and local authorities' confusing messages.
I'm not the most unintelligent being on this planet but I am on occasion confused as to what may go into my recycling bin, what may be taken to the local facility for recycling, and what is genuine waste. What is also somewhat shaming is the quantity of material that does go into that recycling bin each week. Do we really need all that packaging etc? The old mantra "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" seems to have died a death.
Many consumers are naturally lazy and cannot be bothered with carefully checking the nature of a plastic container and comparing that with often confusing advice on their local council's website before deciding whether it goes in the blue or grey bin (or whatever). The Co-op makes a good point when it advocates making as much packaging as possible recyclable so that the consumer is not burdened with decision making. Perhaps it could also work on the "reduce" part of the old strap line?
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