New research finds that Baby Boomers are the most likely generation to recycle their paper and cardboard waste, with Gen Z the least likely to.
Research by sustainable packaging and recycling company DS Smith revealed Baby Boomers – people born between 1946 and 1964 – are the most likely to follow recycling rules.
The research, which surveyed 2,000 people across the UK in September 2024, found that 54% of Baby Boomers said they recycled their paper and cardboard compared to 19% of Gen Z respondents.
64% of Boomers admitted throwing something in the bin instead of recycling it because they couldn’t be bothered to clean it out, which rises to 92% for Gen Z – people born between 1997 and 2012 – and 84% for Millennials – people born between 1981 and 1996.
Only 27% of Boomers said they were confused about what they can and can’t recycle, while 53% of Gen Z respondents said they were confused.
Recycling bins not being readily available in public spaces, a lack of knowledge, and contamination concerns around items such as meat packaging were the top reasons Gen Z said they struggle to recycle more.
There’s no doubt that all generations want to play their part in helping the environment; the challenge is getting people to understand the role recycling plays in this.
Amongst the items that frequently made it into the wrong bin for Gen Z were food waste (33%) and plastic bags (24%).
When it comes to recycling instructions, 25% of Boomers felt more clarity is required on packaging on how to recycle it, the highest of any generation.
Gen Z is most likely (64%) to call someone out if they see someone throwing something away that could have been recycled, with just 2% of Boomers saying they would do so.
Across all respondents, 31% feel it is the government’s responsibility to get more people recycling, while 26% think it is down to local councils.
Commenting on the findings, Michael Orye, Managing Director of Recycling and Paper in Europe, DS Smith, said: “What we’re seeing is a generational gap when it comes to recycling.
“There’s no doubt that all generations want to play their part in helping the environment; the challenge is getting people to understand the role recycling plays in this.
“Cardboard, paper and plastic bottles frequently make it into recycling bins of older generations with younger generations only half as likely to recycle them at home.”
Poor recycling practices have been previously found to have an economic impact as well as an environmental one.
Last year, DS Smith found that £2.8bn worth of sustainable and recyclable packaging could end up in landfill or incineration by 2030 if the UK’s declining recycling rates aren’t reversed.
