Figure 28
Education Elements
As a part of the focus group one, age 18-28 (appendices 2), participants were asked
‘do you believe it should be the industries making changes or us as consumers to
reduce plastic and cardboard waste? Who has the biggest impact consumers or high
street fashion companies?’ All five participants agreed that both consumers and high
street fashion companies should take responsibility for their plastic and cardboard
usage. It was identified by all participants that retailers need to ‘improve’ their
packaging and consumers need to be ‘educated.’
When specifically looking at focus group two age 40-60 years (appendices 3),
participants identified the same outcome, that both retailers and consumers need to
participate and work together to reduce waste levels. Participant one “yeah George
was at the eco club at little school (4-11 years)”and Participant two “Lauren (12-18
years) did eco club at school…. Si and Matt’s age group in there 30’s I don’t think
they think about it.” It is clear that over the last 10 years recycling has been embedded into children’s education, but why are older generations not being approached
and taught about how they can make society better for their children and their
grandchildren? What would it take to encourage such a dramatic change in society?
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