Protecting our planet is one of the defining issues of our era and as citizens, businesses and governments search for new and better ways to safeguard nature, Earth Day has become an ever more important date in the calendar.
As a world leading metal and plastics recycler, EMR has commissioned an exclusive survey from polling firm YouGov, to learn more about the challenges and opportunities our industry faces in driving a more sustainable, nature-positive economy.
The first thing to note is that EMR has a positive story to tell.
Our business has set an industry-leading target to become a net-zero recycler by 2040; backed up by the science-based targets initiative (SBTi). To ensure we’re doing all we can today, this goal is supported by EMR’s sustainability strategy, including huge investments in renewable electricity and hybrid, or fully-electric equipment between now and 2030. Our new Environment Fund has also provided much needed investment to local ‘Get Nature Positive’ projects and charities across the UK.
Many overestimate the impact of the waste management industry on the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, the waste management sector was estimated to be responsible for around 4 percent of UK of emissions.
YouGov’s research suggests that almost a quarter of people believe that the UK waste management industry is responsible for the lion’s share of UK emissions, however. This is small when compared to the perception of other sectors such as manufacturing and heavy industries.
This isn’t to be complacent. Ninety-percent of the waste management industry’s emissions come from methane – one of the most powerful greenhouse gases. This is why EMR is working hard to reduce the material we send to landfill.
Yet, recycling can be a solution rather than a cause of our climate emergency and it’s a message we clearly need to share widely.
This will take leadership. The survey shows that the public believe businesses have an important role to play in safeguarding our environment.
46 percent of GB citizens believe businesses are responsible for promoting environmental protection with only the government (63%) and environmental protection bodies (56%) scoring higher.
The good news is that consumers say they are ready to back businesses that do the right thing.
According to YouGov, 65 percent of GB adults would be more likely to use a metal recycler if they could demonstrate that their activities are nature positive.
Importantly, this isn’t a generational issue, with young people aged 18-24 years around 67 percent more likely and those over 55 still 63 percent more likely.
This is invaluable because it highlights that when it comes to protecting the environment, EMR is in a partnership with our customers to raise standards.
In an increasingly uncertain world where supply chains are impacted by many global economic and political pressures, the metal recycling industry is a vital element of a more sustainable economy. It is therefore essential that recyclers like EMR share how our industry supports reliable, renewable, supply chains for economic and environmental reasons.
As the world comes together to mark Earth Day, it is the perfect time to remind everyone of the vital work that we do.
Source: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2042 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24th - 25th February 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
