Agree entirely Philippa that reducing waste overall is key. In my household we probably recycle more than 80% of our normal waste, and landfill amounts to maybe half a kitchen bin liner every 3 or 4 weeks, sometimes even less. If we reduce the overall amount of waste, then that should still increase recycling rates assuming that the waste is still recyclable. That's another question I've posed to Cllr Emment (no reply just yet).
But the reality is I have to try hard with the facilities and options available to do that, rather than it being easy and the norm which is what is needed to get everyone recycling that much. And yes, it means manufacturers, packaging designers, etc have to change their game too. And, ultimately as you rightly say, we all have to consume less of the stuff that ends up very quickly as waste, and focus on durable goods. |