3 in 4 people confused about how best to reduce environmental impact of plastic

London and the South East lead charge to reuse as Blue Planet effect turns UK green

New research[1] released today by North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has found that the ‘Blue Planet effect’ has resulted in 69% of people trying to change their habits to help the environment, although 3 out of 4 are confused about how to best reduce single use plastic. Only 1 in 4 people realise that prevention is better than cure when it comes to reducing the environmental impact of plastic.

Half of the 2,020 UK adults surveyed by Censuswide said that they thought recycling as much as possible was the best way to reduce the impact on the environment of single use plastics such as bottles, straws and cutlery - that’s almost double the number who realised that the better option is to stop buying or using these items.

An estimated 13bn plastic bottles a year are used in the UK and 700,000 get littered every day[2].  With the school holidays in full swing and more families planning days out and picnics, NLWA is issuing a timely reminder to consider a switch to reusable bottles, under its ‘Wise Up To Waste’ banner, as well as calling on more shops, bars and cafes to make it easier for people to refill their water bottles on the go.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, Chair of NLWA, said:

“It’s fantastic that Blue Planet has encouraged so many people to adopt more environmentally friendly habits. Many people would previously have been unaware of the damage caused by single use plastics and it’s natural to think of increasing the amount they recycle as the solution, which is certainly important.  Summer is a great time to remember that prevention is better than cure when it comes to plastic pollution and with a bottle of water costing up to £2, think of the money you could save by switching to reusable this Summer!  We want to encourage more north London residents to ‘Wise Up To Waste’ and make the switch to reusable bottles and more businesses to support them by making it clear they are welcome to refill.”

Two-thirds of those asked said they now have a reusable bottle, rising to 71% in London and the South East, although many admitted they often forget to use them. When asked what would make them buy a reusable bottle or use theirs more often the top response was having more public places to refill.[3]

North London businesses can support the switch to reusable bottles by downloading a ‘refill here’ poster at www.wiseuptowaste.org.uk/refill Residents can also find details their closest

 [1] Survey of nationally representative sample of 2,020 UK adults conducted in June 2018 by Censuswide.

 [2] House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Plastic bottles: Turning Back the Plastic Tide. First Report of Session 2017–19. 

 [3] When asked what would make them buy a reusable bottle or use theirs more often:

• 26% said more public places to refill, eg water fountains
• 25% said remembering to take their reusable bottle out with them as they often forget
• 25% said being able to refill in any pub, cafe or shop without feeling awkward or feeling they should buy something
• 20% said being sure of the cleanliness of existing water fountains
• 13% said cheaper reusable bottles

See regional breakdowns below.

North London Waste Authority

North London Waste Authority (NLWA) was established in 1986 and is the waste disposal authority for Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest. Its primary function is to arrange the transport and disposal of waste collected by these boroughs.　It is the second largest waste disposal authority in the country.

http://nlwa.gov.uk