1 in 3 Americans say inflation has impacted their sustainability habits
- 9 months ago
Two out of three Americans have either maintained or increased their sustainability practices over the last year, a new survey suggests.
According to a recent poll of 2,000 respondents, 34% believe they currently live a more eco-friendly lifestyle now in 2023 than they did in 2022, while another 32% reported that their habits have remained the same.
And although lingering effects of the COVID-19 outbreak are still present, one in three people said that within the last year, rising inflation costs have impacted their sustainability habits more than pandemic concerns.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Hydro Flask to help launch their new Trade-in Program, also reveals that 79% believe they are deeply, actively concerned about the current state of our environment.
That’s a small increase from a similar 2021 survey, in which 75% of those polled agreed to the same statement — although those who “strongly agree” has remained balanced at around 44%.
Similarly, compared to the results from the 2021 survey, the percentage of respondents who’ve committed to recycling more frequently or more thoroughly has risen from 48% to 56%.
Other popular environmentally-friendly behaviors this past year included swapping single-use items with reusable items (51%), eating less meat or more plant-based foods (43%), and reducing the amount of plastic waste produced (44%) – all of which experienced a similar increase in adoption since the 2021 survey.
And although “climate change or global warming” still ranks high among respondents’ most frequent concerns, it dropped from the No. 1 spot in 2021 (at 57%) to No. 3 in 2023 (at 48%), just behind “air, water and land pollution” (53%) and “deforestation and logging” (48%).
“As seen in this data, pollution continues to be a growing concern in our country and we know that wasted products are a large contributor to this issue,” said Indigo Teiwes, Corporate Responsibility Director for Home & Outdoor, Helen of Troy, parent company of Hydro Flask. “In response, we’ve seen a number of brands introduce different recycling, upcycling and product circularity programs. HAccessible resources and programs such as these help consumers feel more empowered to not only address their concerns but feel like they’re making a difference.”
Indeed, in 2023, 78% of respondents agreed with the statement, "If everybody can do the bare minimum (e.g. recycling properly, using a reusable water bottle, etc.) I believe we can make a difference, protect the environment, and avoid the worst of climate change.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean striving to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle is bereft of challenges.
In 2021, roughly 67% of respondents admitted to using more single-use items as a direct result of the pandemic, fearing possible COVID-19 exposure from reusable items.
This time around, 56% believe they’re more sustainable now since the start of the pandemic, compared to 25% who say they’re less sustainable than they were previously.
According to a recent poll of 2,000 respondents, 34% believe they currently live a more eco-friendly lifestyle now in 2023 than they did in 2022, while another 32% reported that their habits have remained the same.
And although lingering effects of the COVID-19 outbreak are still present, one in three people said that within the last year, rising inflation costs have impacted their sustainability habits more than pandemic concerns.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Hydro Flask to help launch their new Trade-in Program, also reveals that 79% believe they are deeply, actively concerned about the current state of our environment.
That’s a small increase from a similar 2021 survey, in which 75% of those polled agreed to the same statement — although those who “strongly agree” has remained balanced at around 44%.
Similarly, compared to the results from the 2021 survey, the percentage of respondents who’ve committed to recycling more frequently or more thoroughly has risen from 48% to 56%.
Other popular environmentally-friendly behaviors this past year included swapping single-use items with reusable items (51%), eating less meat or more plant-based foods (43%), and reducing the amount of plastic waste produced (44%) – all of which experienced a similar increase in adoption since the 2021 survey.
And although “climate change or global warming” still ranks high among respondents’ most frequent concerns, it dropped from the No. 1 spot in 2021 (at 57%) to No. 3 in 2023 (at 48%), just behind “air, water and land pollution” (53%) and “deforestation and logging” (48%).
“As seen in this data, pollution continues to be a growing concern in our country and we know that wasted products are a large contributor to this issue,” said Indigo Teiwes, Corporate Responsibility Director for Home & Outdoor, Helen of Troy, parent company of Hydro Flask. “In response, we’ve seen a number of brands introduce different recycling, upcycling and product circularity programs. HAccessible resources and programs such as these help consumers feel more empowered to not only address their concerns but feel like they’re making a difference.”
Indeed, in 2023, 78% of respondents agreed with the statement, "If everybody can do the bare minimum (e.g. recycling properly, using a reusable water bottle, etc.) I believe we can make a difference, protect the environment, and avoid the worst of climate change.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean striving to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle is bereft of challenges.
In 2021, roughly 67% of respondents admitted to using more single-use items as a direct result of the pandemic, fearing possible COVID-19 exposure from reusable items.
This time around, 56% believe they’re more sustainable now since the start of the pandemic, compared to 25% who say they’re less sustainable than they were previously.