Marketing research on recycling in UK - Essay Example

eport pertains to the waste generation and disposal habits, and the efforts to be adopted by local administrations for improving segregation before collection and recycling, in the light of national laws and successful international efforts. To this extent it defines the objectives, methodology and budgetary requirements. iv. Background: Since the 1980s, per capita household waste generation in the UK has risen from just under 400 kg. to over 500 kg. Such an increase can be attributed to economic growth, social change, and waste collection methods.

The increase in waste has closely followed that of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Today in the UK it is estimated that each household throws away over a ton of waste annually; England and Wales produce 100 million tons of waste annually from households, commerce and industry. Each ton of waste comes from 10 tons of resource utilization! Around 70% of household waste can be either recycled or composted. Despite the fact that the majority of the general public regard recycling as worthwhile, and that over 65% of households have access to kerbside collection recycling schemes, only 14.

5% of dustbin contents are recycled or composted. Thus there is a need to improve the system. Until the dawn of the industrial revolution, waste generation was minimal and mainly composed of biodegradable matter from vegetation, animal products, textiles, burning of firewood, etc., which was being dumped in farmlands where it would turn as compost or simply disposed off in the nearest available vacant public space with little or no concern for the environs. ‘Use and throw culture’ was not yet in sight and frugal living, repair and reuse were the order of the day, with products like utensils, clocks, closets etc.

being used for generations together. Coupled with the smaller population, and widely spread colonies of smaller groups, waste recycling was not an issue at all. However, the transition to the post-industrial revolution era meant