Storage space ‘a problem for younger recyclers’

Project director for ongoing research with LWARB, Jenny Kedros, discussed the findings of a study called ‘what will motivate 18-34 year old’s Londoners to recycle?”

The study, comprised of cognitive interviews and mobile ethnography to gauge behaviours among young Londoners, took several factors into consideration regarding recycling habits.

These factors included living arrangements, socio-economic groups, age, and which London borough participants lived in.

Overall, Ms Kedros said that they found people between the ages of 18-34 thought recycling was “the right thing to do”, however it is not a priority, rather just part of a routine.

She said that a “real obstacle” included many young people having lack of space for storing extra bins or bags, typically due to living in small accommodation.

Many were also ‘confused’ about how and what to recycle, which in turn saw them recycle only when it is ‘easy’.

Ms Kedros explained that while very few respondents didn’t recycle at all, very few also fit into an ‘eco-warrior’ category, which referred to people who considered recycling a top priority. Most respondents fell into the ‘confused’ category, which in turn made them ‘inconsistent’.

The study also found that young people see working hours, social classes, and ethnic background as factors when considering what type of people in their age group see recycling as a priority. Kedros explained that many described this as middle-class, white students with part time jobs.

Circular Economy wWeek

This years Circular Economy Week runs until 5 June, and is focusing on cities and how they can reduce Co2 emissions from the production and use of products and materials.

The event is seeing innovators from different countries joining online discussions on ways of building more resource-resource-efficient and resilient cities.

LWARB said that the event follows calls to ‘build back better’ after the coronavirus crisis, and is featuring online discussions on innovation in cities, financing the circular economy and individual behaviour change.