Member Article

Signify research reveals 78% of British adults believe their household waste increased during lockdown

Signify, the world leader in lighting and the makers of Philips LED lighting, reveals new findings showing that 78% of British adults believe their household waste increased during lockdown because of the surge in online shopping and consequent deliveries. Almost one in five (16%) households claim their packaging waste doubled over lockdown, while for one in 20 (5%) it tripled.

As a result, and as stricter lockdown measures start to be implemented, 82% of Brits are committed to reducing their packaging waste, with 56% of people will be trying to buy products with little or no plastic packaging, and the same number (56%) committed to recycling everything they possibly can.

Following the announcement this September that Signify has achieved carbon neutrality globally, this nationwide study further illustrates the importance of companies leading the transition to a more sustainable future.

As part of its ongoing commitment, Signify has also pledged to go plastic-free on all of its consumer-related packaging by the end of 2021. It is already using recycled paper for 80% of its packaging and is currently phasing out all plastics from its consumer-related packaging in order to meet this commitment.

“Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the lockdown that followed, our research has revealed a fundamental desire from people to change their behaviour when it comes to reducing their plastic waste”, said Alpesh Patel, Product Marketeer at Signify for Philips LED. “Pledges like these offer a positive outlook into what a more responsible, plastic-free future could look like. Consumers, however, need to be supported with brands taking firm action on their own sustainability commitments.”

The new Philips LED packaging is also smaller in size, reducing carbon emissions from transport and the materials used by 6,000 tonnes per year – equivalent to the amount of CO2 that 270,000 fully grown trees can absorb in a year.

Brits suffering from Chronic Recycling Guilt

According to the research, 48% of Brits admit to feeling ashamed when they don’t recycle enough, while a further 37% said they often felt remorseful for not being a better recycler. Over half (55%) of Britons recycle on a daily basis, leaving 47% of us feeling wracked with guilt for damaging the environment.

Making it easy for consumers to recycle effectively, will be critical to changing their behaviour going forward and enforcing positive change on the environment. Setting a good example to the next generation through positive changes we make now, will enable behavioural changes that are embedded into future generations.

Already, a quarter (25%) of British adults worry they are setting a bad example to the younger generation, and 21% of us feel lazy and worthless for not recycling more. In fact, plastic is the material we feel most guilty about binning, according to the survey, with 60% of Brits admitting it fills them with shame. The same number (60%) would like companies to use less plastic packaging on the items they sell.

“Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues in the UK. It’s clear from our research that people are feeling guilty about how much waste they have been throwing away,” said Patel.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Signify .