Question by SayWhat?: Why does the brunt of the responsibily of recycling fall on the shoulders of the consumer?
The companies that make products seem to use unlimited amounts of packaging. Does one stick of gum really require 3 layers of wrapping? If all these water bottles are clogging our oceans, why aren’t manufacturers of beverages required to stick with glass or aluminum bottles?
Why I don’t mind recycling, I feel there would be much less need for recycling if companies were regulated by how much waste they created. I also don’t like it that recycling is voluntary. Why aren’t consumers and manufacturers alike compelled by law to cut down on waste and recycle?
Best answer:
Answer by John Sol
Well, I avoid buying packaging, recycleable or not. If you don’t like the packaging don’t buy it. There have been many protests in the UK involving shoppers leaving excess packing in the supermarket.
On the other hand packaging can save huge amounts of waste due to damage that would otherwise be caused, saving enegy in the long run.
The consumer is the most poweful and able player, or has the potential to be.
Give your answer to this question below!
The responsibility for all the excess packaging also falls on the shoulders of the consumers. Manufacturers are responding to market demand. As we want cheaper food that is quicker to prepare and can sit on a shelf or in a freezer for years on end it requires more packaging. I avoid excess packaging as much as possible, it did require changing my shopping habits. I buy fresh bread from the bakery, fresh produce from the farmers market and few processed foods. We are eating healthier and producing a fraction of the waste.
I also write to some of my favorite brands and let them know I want recycled content in packaging and reduced packaging.
There is a law that was put into place in the 70’s, but it is rarely enforced due to lack of funding for oversight. Look for the resource conservation and recovery act.
Your health trumps the environment. You can die because some idiot poisons the gum or think about how much damage that same idiot can do with an extra gum wrapper.