Recycling of packages, clothing and other materials is the most common activity among Cypriots, aiming to protect the environment, since, according to a recent study, more than 8 in 10 Cypriots say they recycle, mostly plastic, paper and glass.
In a telephone research, conducted in the framework of the EU programme Life Know Waste (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), 71% of those questioned said that protecting the environment was very important for them, while 27% said it was rather important.
Asked what particular actions they have undertaken to this aim in the past one month, more that 8 in 10 or 86% of those questioned said they recycled, while 84% said they reduced energy consumption at home and 74% said they reduced the quantities of food thrown as waste, though smarter shopping.
On the reasons they recycle their waste, 73% said they do so in order to protect the environment, 8% say they do it to save money, while 7% note it is a matter of habit.
However, 14% say they do not recycle at all, citing a series of reasons, such as lack of recycling bins in their area (5%), others say they are not used to the idea (3%) or that they haven`t thought about it (2%).
Furthermore, most people said they recycled plastic (67%), paper (61%) and glass (40%). A significant portion also said it recycled metal cans, plastic bottle caps, Tetra Pak packages, clothing and batteries.
Research participants were finally asked what is the most effective way for Cyprus to reduce waste, with 42% responding that more awareness raising and information was necessary for people to voluntarily reduce their waste.
Moreover, 33% said that recycling should become mandatory by law, with fines for those who don`t recycle.
Finally, 24% said each household should pay for garbage collection, according to the volume or weight of the waste it produces, after subtracting the quantities of recycled waste.
The research aimed to study the level of information and awareness, and the attitudes among the general public on matters related to reduction, reuse and recycling, as well as the public`s initiatives in the framework of waste management.
The sample was based on 703 telephone interviews, that were conducted between May 25 and June 3, 2015, with people aged 18-54 all over Cyprus.
The study was commissioned by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, the Coordinating Beneficiary of the EU Programme Life Know Waste (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) in Cyprus, and was undertaken by CYMAR Market Research