Two out of three Americans have both maintained or elevated their sustainability practices over the past 12 months, a brand new survey suggests.
According to a current ballot of two,000 respondents, 34% imagine they at present dwell a extra eco-friendly way of life now in 2023 than they did in 2022, whereas one other 32% reported that their habits have remained the identical.
And though lingering results of the COVID-19 outbreak are nonetheless current, one in three folks stated that throughout the final 12 months, rising inflation prices have impacted their sustainability habits greater than pandemic considerations.
The survey, carried out by OnePoll and commissioned by Hydro Flask to assist launch their new Trade-in Program, additionally reveals that 79% imagine they’re deeply, and actively involved in regards to the present state of the environment.
That’s a small improve from an analogous 2021 survey, by which 75% of these polled agreed to the identical assertion — though those that “strongly agree” has remained balanced at round 44%.
Similarly, in comparison with the outcomes from the 2021 survey, the proportion of respondents who’ve dedicated to recycling extra incessantly or extra totally has risen from 48% to 56%.
Other fashionable environmentally-friendly behaviors this previous 12 months included swapping single-use objects with reusable objects (51%), consuming much less meat or extra plant-based meals (43%), and lowering the quantity of plastic waste produced (44%) – all of which skilled an analogous improve in adoption because the 2021 survey.
And though “local weather change or world warming” nonetheless ranks excessive amongst respondents’ most frequent considerations, it dropped from the No. 1 spot in 2021 (at 57%) to No. 3 in 2023 (at 48%), simply behind “air, water and land air pollution” (53%) and “deforestation and logging” (48%).
“As seen on this knowledge, air pollution continues to be a rising concern in our nation and we all know that wasted merchandise are a big contributor to this challenge,” stated Indigo Teiwes, Corporate Responsibility Director for Home & Outdoor, Helen of Troy, father or mother firm of Hydro Flask. “In response, we’ve seen plenty of manufacturers introduce totally different recycling, upcycling and product circularity applications. Accessible assets and applications resembling these assist shoppers really feel extra empowered to not solely handle their considerations however really feel like they’re making a distinction.”
Indeed, in 2023, 78% of respondents agreed with the assertion, “If everyone can do the naked minimal (e.g. recycling correctly, utilizing a reusable water bottle, and so forth.) I imagine we will make a distinction, defend the atmosphere, and keep away from the worst of local weather change.”
Of course, that doesn’t imply striving to dwell an environmentally pleasant way of life is bereft of challenges.
In 2021, roughly 67% of respondents admitted to utilizing extra single-use objects as a direct results of the pandemic, fearing attainable COVID-19 publicity from reusable objects.
This time round, 56% imagine they’re extra sustainable now because the begin of the pandemic, in comparison with 25% who say they’re much less sustainable than they had been beforehand.
Another 49% additionally stated they’re behaving extra sustainably due to inflation charges.
Roughly 97% of these polled have entry to reusable objects of their house, together with sturdy meals storage containers (47%), grocery luggage (46%), consuming straws (46%) and water bottles (46%).
In addition to believing that reusable objects are extra sustainable than single-use ones (47%), respondents additionally felt that reusable objects are extra reasonably priced (34%), easy to make use of (31%), and cost-effective (40%).
“Not solely is shopping for single-use plastic water bottles 2,000 instances costlier than consuming water from the faucet, however switching to reusable objects is among the best methods to scale back your footprint,” stated Larry Witt, President of Home & Outdoor, Helen of Troy, father or mother firm of Hydro Flask. “Consumers may help get rid of single-use plastic by choosing a reusable bottle to refill time and again.”
TOP FIVE MOST POPULAR REUSABLE ITEMS
Water bottles – 42%Insulated bottles/flasks – 35%Drinking straws – 34%Tupperware or meals storage containers – 34%Produce luggage – 33%
TOP TEN MOST USED SINGLE-USE ITEMS
Paper receipts – 48%Delivery containers – 42%Plastic straws – 42%Water or soda bottles – 42%To-go beverage cups – 41%Plastic luggage – 39%Plastic utensils – 37%Water filtration canisters – 35%Paper towels – 30%Disposable razors – 29%
