Covid-19 Causes Environmental Wake-Up Call for Wales

• 63% are recycling more during Covid-19 times
• 86% say tackling recycling is an urgent task
• 93% say recycling is everyone’s responsibility
• 57% say economy currently takes priority over the environment
• Wales ranked 11^th in the UK when considering the environment since pandemic began

Wednesday 21^st October 2020, UK: A whopping 86% of Welsh consumers say that since the Covid-19 outbreak, it is more important than ever to take care of our planet and the environment, a European-wide study by drink can recycling initiative, Every Can Counts, has found.

The majority (86%) of the survey respondents in Wales said it is an urgent task to tackle recycling, while 93% said that considering recycling and its importance for the planet is an obligation of all citizens and consumers, not just world leaders. Despite this however, the survey also discovered that in these uncertain economic times, 57% of Welsh consumers say that the economy is currently a priority over the environment.

In the wake of Sir David Attenborough’s latest film, A Life On Our Planet, as well as his joining Instagram at 94 and achieving one million followers in record-breaking time, it seems environmental issues are finally coming to the fore. Within the film’s poignant and hard-hitting introduction, Attenborough says, “The natural world is fading. This film is my witness statement and my vision for the future. The story of how we came to make this, our greatest mistake, and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right.”

It seems this seed has been well and truly planted in the minds of the Welsh with 63% stating that during the pandemic they have recycled more than ever, suggesting that the increase in time spent at home during the pandemic has made it easier for people to do their bit and recycle more. Only 47% however, said they often or always recycle when at work and even less when out and about at 38%.

Commenting on the figures, Rick Hindley, Director of Every Can Counts says, “The figures imply that given the time and correct resources, we’re all more than capable of recycling everything we can. It’s when we’re out and about or at work that it becomes more difficult. The findings from the survey also suggest that Covid-19 has prompted us to consider our own fragility as human beings and look at the way we treat the planet, our home.

“The Covid-19 outbreak has of course brought about devastating effects. However, as we can see from these survey results, one positive is that people are beginning to sit and up and take notice of the vital environmental issues we are facing. We do not have forever to rectify the damage that has been done to our planet. The time is now.

“Recycling – and especially recycling drink cans given that aluminium is infinitely recyclable – is something we can all do to help the planet. Over the past five years, the UK recycling rate for drink cans has increased by 16% to an impressive 76%. Our vision is to get that to 100%.”

The Welsh respondents echoed this call to action with 84% saying they would like to do more when it comes to recycling and a massive 72% feeling that more needs to be done in general to encourage recycling.

Of the 12 UK regions surveyed as part of the wider European study, Greater London, Yorkshire & Humberside, the South West and South East came up top when quantifying the importance of recycling with scores of 80% plus. Wales came in 9^th place, and the North East registered last with just 71% saying they think recycling is important.

However, when looking at how Covid-19 has changed the minds of the masses regarding the environment and taking care of the planet, Wales is ranked in 11^th place, just above the South East, while Scotland and the East of England came top with 95%.

Below: UK regions ranked in order of agreeing with the following statement: After Covid-19 it is more important than ever to take care of our planet / environment and recycle. 

1.     Scotland 95%

2.     East of England 95%

3.     North West 93%

4.     Northern Ireland 93%

5.     Greater London 91%

6.     North East 91%

7.     Yorkshire & Humberside 91%

8.     East Midlands 90%

9.     West Midlands 89%

10.  South West 89%

11.  Wales 86%

12.  South East 84%