One in five people also blame financial costs for stopping them recycling more according to a survey carried out by MORI for the New Opportunities Fund.
The poll, 'The Environment: Who Cares?' found that 50% of the population cite a lack of amenities as the main barrier to recycling and being more environmentally friendly and revealed that money is a key factor in how environmentally friendly people are.
A third of the population said they were motivated to be 'greener' by the chance of saving money. This rose to 44% of 15-24-year-olds. And almost one in four in social groups D and E (semi- and un-skilled manual workers and the lowest level of subsistence) complained that financial costs were a barrier to their green activities. This was reflected in figures revealing that 30% more people in group AB (high or intermediate managers, administrators or professionals) recycle their household waste than in the group DE.
Baroness Pitkeathley, chair of the New Opportunities Fund, a Lottery Distributor created to award grants to health, education and environment projects, said: “The research highlights key areas of public concern which we are tackling by targeting National Lottery money at grassroots projects.”
The poll also revealed apathy towards green issues among young people, with 15% of 15-24-year-olds agreeing that one person cannot make a difference to the environment and the news that this age group is less likely to buy environmentally friendly products than older people.
In addition, 40% of people tried to be 'green' in order to protect their health.
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