This segment were actively
involved in all recycling, all the council collects plus
additional activity at recycling centres (which many did prior to the introduction of
doorstep services). They were keen to reuse what they no longer wanted and some were
also willing to buying some second hand items (albeit less than the Greens).
All energy and water
saving behaviours were common place and had been for a while,
such as choosing efficient appliances and products as well as using them carefully. They
had often inherited or fitted insulation themselves and claimed that they would certainly
check the energy efficiency rating of any new home.
In the garden,
many were into active composting, some grew their own food and some
also had an interest in attracting wildlife.
Compared to the Greens,
less had been achieved in the area of travel and transport and
there was more reluctance to be more proactive in this area. Many households owned
two cars and made more than two flights a year. However, they claimed to drive
economically and some had bought a more efficient car or mentioned having switched
to diesel. Being an ethical tourist was also something their conscience encouraged.
“If it was the car that I wanted, then I don’t see why not. Do you
need a charger? I don’t know anything
about it, but I’d consider it. I’m not someone who will just rule things out like this”
[Male, C2, 25, Co- habit, Wrexham - CWC]
There was some evidence
of activity in food and purchasing with most avoiding excess
packaging, throwing away less and avoiding disposable items. Whilst some bought
local, seasonal, organic, and/or fair trade products, it was clear that their focus was
more about quality rather than being exclusively environmentally driven. Few
purchased sustainable and environmentally friendly products as again quality and/or
efficacy were traded off.
