Gen Z isn’t so green after all! Boomers are better at recycling than younger generations, research shows

From carrying a reusable water bottle to choosing clean energy, many of us are trying to do our part to be more environmentally friendly.

But when it comes to recycling, it seems not all Brits are equal.

While younger generations are often seen as the most environmentally conscious, a new study has found that it’s Boomers who are leading the way in recycling.

Researchers at DS Smith found that 54 percent of Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) recycle all their paper and cardboard – while only 19 percent of Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) do so.

‘There is no doubt that all generations want to do their part to help the environment; the challenge is to get people to understand the role recycling plays in this,” says Michael Orye, Managing Director of Recycling and Paper in Europe, at DS Smith.

To understand how our recycling habits vary based on our age, the researchers surveyed 2,000 Britons.

Their results showed that our recycling skills need to be improved across the board.

Sixty-four percent of Boomers admitted to throwing something in the trash instead of recycling it because they couldn’t be bothered to clean it up.

This figure rose to a whopping 92 percent for Gen Z, and 84 percent for Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996).

Despite this, the majority of respondents rated their home recycling process as ‘top notch’.

Only 27 percent of Boomers said they were unsure what they could and couldn’t recycle, while for Gen Z this figure rose to 53 percent.

DS Smith researchers found that 54 percent of Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) recycle all their paper and cardboard – while only 19 percent of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) do so (stock image)

“What we’re seeing is a generational gap when it comes to recycling,” Orye said.

‘Cardboard, paper and plastic bottles often end up in the recycling bins of older generations, while younger generations are only half as likely to recycle them at home.’

What Generation Z does excel at, however, is calling others out on their poor recycling behavior.

Certainty found that 64 percent of Generation Z would say something if they saw a stranger throw away something that could have been recycled.

In contrast, only two percent of Boomers say they would.

According to RecyclingBins.co.uk, UK households create over 26 million tonnes of waste every year, which amounts to 400 kg of waste per person.

Unfortunately, of the 26 million tonnes of waste produced in Britain, only 12 million tonnes are recycled, while the remaining 14 million tonnes are sent to landfills.

This gives us an average recycling rate of 45 percent.