Food and WasteA recent survey claimed or revealed that around 15% of the food we buy is thrown away. While some of that total includes items such as potato peel and fruit skins, it still leaves over 10% of the typical food basket being thrown away. Most of the people I have spoken with about this issue are not surprised. Indeed, many think the % thrown away could be higher. Why? Reasons include: use by dates; buy two for the price of one type offers; and an inability to turn down what seems to be a bargain. Use by dates remove the ability of some consumers to make a judgement, thus those who have any doubt about the edibility of food, simply throw it out once the use-by date goes by, even if it is a bag of potatoes that is one day out of date. Meanwhile, two for the price of one type offers are all well and good, but in many cases the extra is not eaten. This is often the case with fresh food. Finally, some food items are viewed as so cheap they are bought, even though the likelihood of them being eaten is small. In conclusion, food waste is simply a reflection of the times. Road PricingRoad pricing may be rising up the political agenda, but the public seems very much averse to the idea. This should not surprise – who in their right minds would want to pay for something that has to date been free? However, the UK has to tackle congestion, and road pricing seems to be the best way forward. After all, most other services in life involve a cost, why not the use of roads? How come we have no problem paying to park a car, yet grumble if asked to pay to propel that car along the same piece of road? Car UseStill on transport, there is more to the car than congestion. While we all use cars more, it is interesting to ask why. A growing number of short journeys are now undertaken by the car. Laziness may well have something to do with this – it is simply easier to take the trip in the car than walk. However, another reason recently revealed to me is safety. Yes, strange as it may seem, many, when asked why they take that quarter mile trip in the car, reply ‘because it is not safe to walk’. Having walked that quarter mile trip I agree with them. It is a single track country lane, along which traffic regularly travels at 40 MPH with little regard for pedestrians. At the top of the lane is a school. Thirty years ago I imagine children would have walked to that school. Now, it is simply too dangerous to do so. Thus, people drive instead, an event which itself makes the road more dangerous for foot and cycle transport. More Articles... |
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