From Consumption to disposal of products and packaging: are we alienated?

Abstract

The term “alienation” is used in sociological analysis of production systems and, recently, in studies of compulsive consumption. There are no definitions or investigations discussing "alienation of disposal" of products and packaging. Following this line of thought, the aim of this article is to identify people's perceptions about the implications of the act of discarding a product or packaging. Interviews were conducted with citizens and experts in environmental issues in Porto Alegre, Brazil. We followed a semi-structured script addressing general issues about the environment, buying behavior, habits and attitudes related to disposal and destination of products and packaging. The results indicate the absence of environmental education and knowledge of the life cycle of products. The consumer, when buying a product, does not envisage that will have to discard the packaging. The disposal is associated with the act of "making disappear out of his eyes" without knowing the steps taken by the waste until its final destination. It was found detachment or alienation concerning the disposal of products and packaging. The results of this research will support initiatives to increase environmental awareness of the population, as well as to elaborate policies about product information and consumer responsibilities.