ABSTRACT
Emissions per person from making, packaging and transporting goods release around 8tCO2e per year. Their disposal causes a further 0.25tCO2e per year. To make a substantial reduction in this figure it’s not enough to recycle – we actually have to consume less. An economical environmentalist will need to reduce his throughput of goods but retain the use of the goods. This might be from extending the goods’ life, gifting and re-using items, and mending them. Only once these opportunities have been exhausted should we recycle them. To reduce emissions:
Buy fewer new belongings, especially objects with high embodied energy like electronics. It is worth stepping back and considering whether you actually need to replace items which break down or get lost. Maybe you could be happier having less clutter and fewer possessions. This can save money and simplify your life.
Encourage re-use of things you no longer need by giving them to charity shops or using sites like Freecycle. CD and games exchanges will also swap goods. Borrow books, CDs and DVDs from public libraries and friends.
Go virtual: newspapers, music and video can now be enjoyed without buying physical goods. The energy used by internet providers is much less than the energy used to make and transport the physical goods.
Buy goods that are easy to repair and maintain, and keep them for longer. The environmental benefit of recycling materials in complex physical goods is trivial compared to the energy used to make and transport the goods.
Recycle packaging, but make sure you segregate the waste as per the council’s instructions. Be an active citizen locally. Much more can be done to improve the value and market value of recycled materials collected by local authorities. Push for the collection of segregated wastes, especially plastics and glass.
