Barcoding fast food packaging to catch litterbugsReader submitted

I’m unsure of the logistics of this concept (which may sound a little Orwellian) but having seen the nature of the immense amounts of litter in the Johnsonville area, I’ve been mulling over the idea of a barcoding system within the fast food industry. These companies generate so much waste for such a fleeting purpose, and the aura of ultra-convenience seems to lull its customers in to a state of selfish laziness, where they simply can’t be bothered to walk a few steps to a rubbish bin or hold on to their packaging until they can dispose of it properly.

If each order was scanned with a barcode tracking back to the customers details (this is where technicalities elude me- perhaps bins could be fitted with a barcode scanner, or else litter-style parking ticket people who scan the litter they collect) and they faced a fine on their account (akin to library return systems) that meant they had to pay more on their next order (perhaps 50c for paper bags, up to $2 for polystyrene items), this could introduce an incentive beyond the apparently ineffectual basic consideration to help clean up our country.

Additionally/alternatively, fast food companies could face a tax for the amount of their packaging that ends up in landfills so- driven as they are by profit- they would encourage a greener attitude in their countries.

It seems absurd that such damaging, permanent materials are used to cover something so detrimental to our heath for such a short, short period. Surely there are much more sustainable options readily available of a similar price - it seems a hangover from the industrial age where little thought was spared for the environmental impact of human production.

I personally think that fast food is up there with the coal and oil companies in terms of exploitation and corruption, and it’s high time something was done to bring more awareness to the adverse effects of such an industry - beyond just health. Thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated