We live in an age of concerns over resources, and the impact of production. For those of us lucky enough to live in an area with good recycling provision there is the chance to return our used packaging so that the materials can be re-used. The problem with this is that while recycling is an excellent way of cutting down the use of landfill sites it still requires large amounts of energy be used to convert the waste into something usable. There is also the problem that products cannot be recycled forever.

In contrast, consider an approach seen in Germany. Upon buying a couple of bottles of a soft drink it was noted that they were of far more substantial construction than those found here, and that they bore signs of having been used, such as scratching around the base. There was also a facility to return empties. The conclusion was rapidly reached that rather than shredding the empties they were instead being cleaned and refilled. Far less energy intensive.

This approach to packaging can also be found in other products. For example, model railway equipment there is usually sold in a solid plastic box designed to protect the contents for their entire life. The author has examples of these boxes dating back a good 15 years, while the box may be scuffed and cracked the contents are still in perfect shape, and the box still usable. Compare this to the bizarre plastic and card confections used by some British market suppliers that are almost impossible to open, and very difficult to use for storage due to their complexity. There is no need to have this complexity whatsoever. Far more detailed stock survives in simpler, longer-lasting packaging.

Consumer pressure does not seem to have a huge effect on the packaging problem. The fact remains that only a tiny minority will refuse to buy over-packaged goods, for the vast majority there is not the time or the inclination to seek out alternate sources. Yet if suppliers were to introduce a system like that seen in Germany it is likely that it would be taken up without fuss. Observation of the introduction of kerbside recycling in this area suggests that people are quite willing to use such services provided that they are properly managed and easy to use. In Powys, the user can have as many bags as they wish, each roll coming with a label to request further supplies. Collection is usually a few hours after the normal refuse collection, so the user need only place the recycling bags alongside their conventional black bag. Make it this easy, and people will use it. No need for aggressive strategies such as weighing bins or imposing punitive charges on those who do not recycle. Such moves tend to alienate people rather than encouraging them.

And now onto another personal annoyance of the author’s - “Planned Obsolescence”. This is why our computers are thrown away every few years, and why most people do not bother to have domestic appliances repaired.

Put simply, there is too much profit for companies in selling a new appliance for them to be interested in selling spares at sensible prices. A recent inquiry regarding new plates for a sandwich toaster revealed that they would cost only a few pounds less than the device did in the first place – even allowing for economies of scale this is utterly ludicrous. We see it in cars too – unless the buyer chooses a premium brand then the average lifespan of a car will be around four years. Keeping them going beyond this will lead to a never-ending stream of electronic and mechanical problems, costing a small fortune to repair. As the spares will not be desirable the car will most likely be crushed and recycled. Compare this to older Land Rover products where examples beyond economic repair are stripped for parts to keep others going.