Domestic waste is created by every household and business etc including jars of jam, bottles of your favourite wine and if you’re a lover, even a jar of marmite. Throughout the UK recycling figures are increasing every month thanks to Government incentives and limits on how much household waste is collected. Despite the high levels are recycling, there is always more as individuals that we can do to help the environment.
Most local councils will collect domestic waste glass in their routine collections but there are bottle banks dotted around the country where we can easily recycle glass without leaving it out kerbside to go to the landfill. It’s not the older generations that need convincing of this though, it is the youth.
A recent study has revealed hat Britain’s youth aged between 18 and 24 are the most apathetic generation when it comes to recycling waste. A YouGov poll of over 2,500 people found that youngsters in that age bracket were the most uncaring generation when it comes to recycling and making a positive difference.
The nationwide study found that only 57% of young people in Britain think it’s important to recycle as much household waste as possible, compared to 74% of over 55’s. The age group which has been dubbed the ‘facebook generation’ are also least likely to believe that the responsibility for recycling falls to individual home owner. Only 29% of 18-24 year olds think that they bear the most responsibility to recycle compared to over 55’s which is 42%. Youngsters preferred to hold local and national government accountable for recycling.
Other figures that the survey found include:
81% of women felt guilty when they don’t separate their rubbish where as a lower figure of 69% of men felt the same way. Also, 26% of 18 – 24 year olds think the EU’s target to recycle 50% of household waste by 2020 was too low.
These figures contradict the stereotypical assumption that younger people are more socially and environmentally conscious. Unless something is done to change the attitudes of this generation then the UK will struggle to meet their recycling targets.