A large proportion of the population claim that they are motivated to consume ethically and sustainably, and it is estimated that the UK’s ethical market is now worth over £32 billion. However research shows that the numbers of consumers that consistently act on those motives are much fewer.
Investigating factors behind low or zero household recycling rates in Leeds
There are large differences in the rates of household bin use across Leeds, with a high level of contamination observed in some areas. Assumed contributing factors include differences in housing infrastructure, transient populations including students in some areas and deprived populations.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of past interventions used to improve the recycling rates in the Harehills, Headingley/Hyde Park and Middleton/Belle Isle areas of Leeds. The expected outputs of this study included identification of opportunities for future interventions and a contribution to research theories and evidence on recycling behaviour.
Tackling Food Waste with Asda
It is estimated that one-third of edible food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally each year. In the UK, food waste derived from households accounts for 7.3 million tonnes of total food and drink wasted annually. UK households throw away approximately a third of the food they purchase for consumption. In a bid to tackle this problem, CDRC Co-investigator Professor William Young and his team at the University of Leeds joined with Asda to implement a multichannel initiative aimed at changing customer attitudes and behaviour.