Just over half of respondents in the survey said they had regularly taken paper to a paper bank or separated paper from their rubbish for collection – a similar proportion to the 1996 poll.
But the proportion of those regularly taking glass to a bottle bank or separating it for collection was down by 2% from 1993 figures – mocking government attempts to raise the profile of waste issues amongst the public.
The percentage of those recycling cans was down 5% on 1996 figures and those taking part in the composting of kitchen waste was down 6%, although since 1996, the figure no longer includes garden waste.
Over 3,700 English people aged 18 and over were interviewed for the poll, commissioned by Environment Protection Statistics and Information Management and carried out between January and April 2001.
Around a third of those who did not regularly recycle stated that it was because recycling facilities were “too far away” and there was “no kerbside collection” in their areas. Among those in the 18-24 age group, “a lack of time or desire” was more often mentioned than by other age groups for not recycling. Older age groups also mentioned a lack of storage space for their poor recycling record.
The full results of the survey will be published in September 2002, available from DEFRA Publications on 08459 556000.
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