Methods
The original fieldwork for this research was completed between the 2nd and 20th of October 2019. A 30-question online survey was conducted through the B&A online research panel (nationally representative, aged 16+, 1,014 survey respondents). The survey covered the following areas:
Plastic awareness and generation.
Reducing plastic waste and barriers.
National action on plastics and support.
Shopping behaviours and attitudes.
Communication and information.
Recycling behaviours.
Knowledge levels of good plastic reduction behaviours.
Main Findings
95% are concerned about the amount of plastic that we use as a society. Those reporting that they were ‘very concerned’ declined between 2019 and 2021 (55% 2019, 50% 2020, 47% 2021).
The main issues of concern were littering & illegal dumping of plastic (86%), impacts on ocean health & marine life (85%), unnecessary or excessive plastic packaging (84%) and plastic waste that cannot be readily recycled (82%).
83% are concerned about single use plastics and this remained stable over time (83% 2020, 81% 2021).
There is strong support for policy incentives relating to the reduction of single use plastic products, with 92% supporting improved education, 73% supporting a ban on their production & sale and 64% supporting the introduction of a levy at the point of purchase.
Plastic is associated with many benefits: 55% agree it keeps products safe and hygienic, 53% that it makes it easier to transport products and 73% believing that sterile plastic items have an important role in medical treatment.
While 86% believe they know the correct bin to use, when tested, it was found that there is some confusion about how to correctly manage certain plastic wastes. For example, 19% reported putting plastic trays in general waste vs recycled waste, a missed recycling opportunity.
Nearly 9 in 10 (86%) are aware their personal actions can reduce plastic waste in the environment.
81% are willing to take steps to reduce their plastic waste even if it impacts on convenience and costs them.
85% said they have encountered barriers to reducing plastic waste. Access to alternatives (51%) and perceived high costs of buying products with sustainable packaging (45%) were the primary barriers reported.
Over half of the population (56%) believe that they produce most of their plastic waste at home, with plastic food packaging from supermarkets considered to be the main sources (56%).
Two in five (41%) state that they always ‘search package information for what bin to use for their plastic packaging’.
69% reported having a reusable coffee cup with nearly half using it 2-3 times a week.
81% reported having a reusable water bottle but 80% don’t know where to refill it in a public place.
Manufacturers are seen as the stakeholders ‘most responsible’ for reducing plastic waste (33%).
70% of the population distrust manufacturers and online retailers in ensuring plastic waste is reduced in society (pre-pandemic).
Providing ‘alternative formats’ is seen to be the most beneficial thing that retailers or manufacturers could do to combat plastic usage
The public service communications message to place recyclables “clean, dry, loose” into recycling bins has landed well, with 94% of the population aware of it.
TV programmes about plastic waste and the environment are seen to be one of the most influential mediums to encourage people to reduce plastic (30%)
