Dissertation | Page 64

Packaging After the development of recycling in our homes being enforced by the government, the most recent progress of the 5p charge per bag has created a split of opinions. Participant one (appendices 2) discussed how “it really does make people think twice” a positive result generated from the legislation. By charging 5p, it enables consumers to carry around plastic bags with them, meaning a reduction in plastic over the years will be identified. By making consumers more aware of their actions, it allows for the movement towards recycling transparency to occur, creating a global solution. Participant three (appendices 3) “Ok they are reducing down on the output of plastic bags but it brings me back to the same scenario of how they package things they over subscribe the packaging.” The reduction in plastic bags is slowly working towards a global issue, but where one situation is being resolved with one material, retailers and manufacturers are now moving the issue to paper and cardboard waste. Online company Amazon, have focused on this issue to ensure packaging is only used where necessary, long term all these minor changes will consequently have a huge impact on material usage levels and how we then recycle these. 51 Figure 29