We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
It found the average bathroom has at least two empty bottles kicking around, that Brits have yet to recycle.
That’s approximately 40 grams of plastic in each of the 3.8million bathrooms in the UK – a total of 152,000kg, which dwarfs the 137,000kg of Big Ben.
But most adults are doing everything they can to recycle the products they’re using, with the average adult disposing of 312 plastic bottles a year.
That’s 19,665 over the course of their lifetime, which is equal to more than four times the height of the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building in Dubai – if piled up on top of each other.
It also emerged six in ten adults want to be more sustainable in their everyday life but don’t know where to start, with a third saying there’s just not enough plastic-free or options made from recycled plastic.
And 81 percent would like to see more alternative plastic free products available.
The research was commissioned by professional haircare brand weDo, which has partnered with Plastic Bank to donate money for every bottle sold.
We dispose of a shocking amount of plastic in our lifetimes, so it’s fantastic to see so many Brits want to become more sustainable
weDO spokesman
A spokesman from weDO said: “The study has revealed we dispose of a shocking amount of plastic in our lifetimes, so it’s fantastic to see so many Brits want to become more sustainable.
“But it’s not always easy to know where to start. Reducing and reusing have proven to be more sustainable than recycling, so why not start there.
“Taking an extra two minutes at the shops to scout out any reduced plastic packaging, or even products in bottles that have already been recycled is a great place to start.”
The survey went on to reveal most plastic at home is in the kitchen, closely followed by the bathroom, where 53 percent of all products are made from plastic.
Although 38 percent consider whether the packaging is recycled or recyclable when purchasing new toiletries, and 77 percent want to cut down on their plastic bottle usage.
With the average Brit using five products per day as part of their hygiene routine, one in ten make use of plastic-free or recycled plastic alternatives on a daily basis.
Some of these plastic-free products include soap bars, glass bottles, refills, shampoo bars and toothpaste tabs.
But when it comes to plastic, 75 percent reuse bottles where they can and 76 percent see recycled plastic bottles as a more sustainable alternative to non-recycled options.
But the study via OnePoll revealed one in ten said a lack of knowledge about alternatives to plastic is the main barrier to reducing their consumption, while others blamed it on plastic options being deemed the most cost effective.
The spokesman from weDo added: “It’s very positive that so many people are changing their products for plastic-free or options made from recycled plastic and people are considering packaging when purchasing new things.
“Shampoo bars and hand soaps are really savvy options as we get through these types of products so quickly.”
Source: Read Full Article
