新研究發現，Z 世代在回收最差，而老一輩則嚴格遵守規則

英國範圍內的民調顯示，最年輕的一代最有可能丟垃圾而不是回收，儘管人們認為他們最有環保意識。

Gen Z are the worst at recycling, while older generations have got the rules down to a tee, according to new research.

最新研究表明，Z 世代在回收方面最差，而老一輩則嚴格遵守回收規則。

UK-wide polling reveals that the youngest adult generation are the most likely to bin than recycle, despite the perception they’re the most eco-conscious.

英國範圍內的民調顯示，最年輕的一代最有可能丟垃圾而不是回收，儘管人們認為他們最有環保意識。

The research also found that Gen Z are the least likely (19%) to recycle all their paper and cardboard with Boomers (54%) coming out on top.

研究也發現，Z 世代最不可能（19%）回收所有紙張和紙板，而嬰兒潮世代（54%）則位居榜首。

Recycling bins not being readily available in public spaces, a lack of knowledge and contamination concerns with items such as meat packaging are the top reasons Gen Z struggle to recycle more.

公共場所沒有現成的回收箱、缺乏相關知識以及對肉類包裝等物品的污染問題是 Z 世代難以回收更多物品的主要原因。

According to research from sustainable packaging and recycling company DS Smith, almost all (92%) of Gen Z admit to throwing something in the bin instead of recycling it because they couldn’t be bothered to clean it out.

根據永續包裝和回收公司 DS Smith 的研究，幾乎所有 (92%) 的 Z 世代都承認將某些東西扔進垃圾桶而不是回收它，因為他們懶得清理它們。

The youngest generation are also the most likely to admit to confusion around what they can and can’t recycle, with over half (53%) confessing to a lack of understanding. Amongst the items that frequently made it into the wrong bin for Gen Z are food waste (33%) and plastic bags (24%).

最年輕的一代也最有可能承認對自己可以回收什麼和不能回收什麼感到困惑，超過一半（53%）的人承認缺乏了解。 Z 世代經常誤入垃圾箱的物品包括食物垃圾（33%）和塑膠袋（24%）。

However, older generations rate their home recycling process as top notch and are most likely to go out of their way to ensure something is disposed of correctly in public.

然而，老一輩認為他們的家庭回收過程是一流的，並且很可能不遺餘力地確保某些東西在公共場合得到正確處理。

DS Smith's Michael Orye 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.

DS Smith 的 Michael Orye 表示：「我們看到的是回收方面存在代溝。毫無疑問，所有幾代人都希望為保護環境盡自己的一份力量。挑戰在於讓人們了解回收在其中所扮演的角色。

"Cardboard, paper and plastic bottles frequently make it into the recycling bins of older generations with younger generations only half as likely to recycle them at home."

“紙板、紙和塑膠瓶經常被放入老一輩的回收箱，而年輕一代在家中回收它們的可能性只有一半。”

Despite this, young adults are also most likely to call someone out if they see someone throwing something away that could have been recycled, with 64% saying they would do so.

儘管如此，如果年輕人看到有人丟掉了可以回收的東西，他們也最有可能大聲喊叫，64% 的人表示他們會這樣做。

Across all respondents, nearly a third (31%) feel it is the government’s responsibility to get more people recycling, while more than a quarter (26%) think it is down to local councils.

在所有受訪者中，近三分之一 (31%) 認為政府有責任讓更多人回收垃圾，而超過四分之一 (26%) 認為這取決於地方議會。

However, 39% believe a collective effort is required, as it’s everyone’s problem, though Gen Z has the lowest proportion agreeing with this, despite 77% considering themselves to be committed to a sustainable lifestyle.

然而，39% 的人認為需要集體努力，因為這是每個人的問題，儘管 Z 世代同意這一點的比例最低，儘管 77% 的人認為自己致力於永續的生活方式。

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.

先前已發現不良的回收做法會對經濟和環境產生影響。去年，DS Smith 發現，如果英國回收率下降的趨勢無法扭轉，到 2030 年，價值 28 億英鎊的可持續和可回收包裝可能最終被填埋或焚燒。

Orye added: “The research shows that younger people want to do their bit for the environment – but confusion over what is and isn’t ok when it comes to recycling is a major part of the problem. The UK’s recycling rate is stagnating, and more education is needed to help everyone – whatever your age – start to see recycling not as waste, but how to make the most of materials. We must come together to tackle this problem head on and ensure that all generations have the information to become elite recyclers.”

奧耶補充說：「研究表明，年輕人希望為環境做出自己的貢獻，但在回收方面，對什麼是可以、什麼是不可以的困惑是問題的一個主要部分。英國的回收率停滯不前，需要更多的教育來幫助每個人（無論年齡多大）開始將回收視為廢物，而是如何充分利用材料。我們必須齊心協力，正面解決這個問題，並確保所有幾代人都掌握成為精英回收者的信息。

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