Regional attitudes to recycling
Research carried out by NOP on behalf of British Glass, revealed some significant regional differences in attitudes to recycling.
-
53 per cent of northerners currently recycle some or all of their glass compared to 67 per cent of southerners and 66 per cent of people in the Midlands
- 58 per cent of southerners don't care what happens to the glass they recycle
- 14 per cent of northerners used to recycle but no longer do so
- 77 per cent of people in the West Country recycle their empty glass bottles and jars
- Almost 40 per cent of people in the North East never recycle
Around two thirds of people surveyed indicated that they would recycle more, if facilities were made available to them, citing more kerbside collections and extra bottle banks as the main improvements that they would like to see.
Whilst those aged between 35-64 are the best at recycling, it seems that younger people need more encouragement to recycle. Research shows, that thirty-nine per cent of 15-24-year-olds never recycle and another 14 per cent used to recycle but no longer do so. When asked why they don't, most said: "I just don't think about it" and "I just throw it away". However, it's not a question of laziness, only seven per cent said: "I can't be bothered."
On the subject of glass recycling, an astonishing 83 per cent of people admitted that they had no idea what happened to glass once their council recycled it. Whilst people in the Midlands were the most well informed on this issue, with 21 per cent saying they were aware of how their local authority used the glass it collects for recycling, compared with 17 per cent in the North and 13 per cent in the South.
Northerners care most about how their recycled glass is used. Women care more than men, and those aged 55-64 care the most.
Nearly half the people interviewed thought that the most environmentally friendly way of using recycled glass, was to turn it into bottles and jars, a good idea, as glass can be recycled with no loss in quality. This helps to reduce the use of raw materials, which in turn helps reduce emissions.
NOP Omnibus conducted the research on their Telebus survey, which is designed to be nationally representative. 1,001 adults aged 15 years and over were interviewed between 23-25 May 2003.
