Most in this segment did
some recycling, mainly what the council collected, but it was
evident that they were not very thorough about it. Furthermore, trips to local centres
before collection started, as well as currently, were very sporadic. They were quite
active, however, at reuse of items and buying on e- bay or from other second hand
sources.
“[Recycling] Makes me feel good and for the community less rubbish around
everywhere”
[Female, D, 36-45, Older Family, Estate/Valleys, Blenau Gwent - CG]
Since the younger respondents
in the segment had started to be responsible for paying
bills in the last few years, they had recently joined the rest of this group and begun to
make strides in energy and water saving. So lots of small things were being done:
meters were used by some; and insulation was mentioned along with more efficient
products.
“I’ve got a new washing machine and it’s got a daily and it’s
only 30 minutes and it’s using less electricity”
[Female, C1, 56-65, Single/Empty Nester, Renting, South Wales - CG]
“It was a fiver for the lamp and one bulb together – it’s an
incentive, a viable solution”
[Male, D, 36-45, Single Dad, Estate/Valleys, Blenau Gwent - CG]
Wash at 30° - saw it on the telly”
[Female, D, 36-45, Older Family, Estate/Valleys, Blenau Gwent - CG]
Few had gardens
so this area had little current relevance or active behaviours.
They were ‘middle
of the road’ in terms of travel and transport. Some owned their
own car. Others who did not were more reliant on friends and family, public transport
or walking. Flying was limited with those who did partake only taking one flight a year
(more by default i.e. finances, than by design)..
“I don’t use the car a lot anyway. If I go to the supermarket I
think why should I use more energy and
pollute even more”
[Female, C1, 56-65, Single/Empty Nester, Renting, Wrexham - CG]
Behaviour was also limited
in the area of food and purchasing. However, some
favoured local and seasonal produce, neither of which cost a premium. Others tried to
avoid excess packaging and re- used plastic bags or ‘bags for life’. It was evident that
they would like to do more if they had more money available and, especially in terms of
food, occasionally ‘treat’ themselves with something healthy or of better quality than
the usual standard purchased.
I think we are a throwaway society…we dispose of stuff today where there
is a lot of use left in it still”
[Female, C1, 56-65, Single/Empty Nester, Renting, Wrexham - CG]
“I use my bag for life at the supermarket”
[Female, C1, 56-65, Single/Empty Nester, Renting, Wrexham - CG]
