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Sustainable development Household Sustainability Benchmark Survey Online version
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3 New Zealanders’ Sustainable Actions/Behaviours
This section of the report presents the extent to which New Zealanders are currently performing actions and behaviours that can be considered sustainable.
New Zealanders’ current sustainable actions/behaviours were measured in relation to five main areas. These were:
-
heating and the general use of energy
-
rubbish and waste
-
water use
-
groceries and other things
-
transport.
An additional subset of questions was also asked in relation to major purchases including; building/renovating a home, household appliances and motor vehicles.
Key findings
-
Of the five main areas examined, New Zealanders are doing the most to be sustainable in the area of heating and general energy use and the least in the area of transportation.
-
Many respondents reported that they engaged in sustainable action because it is good for the environment (for example, 64 percent in the case of heating and energy use).
-
It is important to note that other factors associated with acting in a sustainable manner also motivate behaviour in this regard. For example, 74 percent of respondents reported that they dealt with heating and energy use in a sustainable manner because it saved them money and 47 percent reported that they did these things because it was good for their own, or their family’s health and well-being.
-
The major barriers inhibiting the extent to which respondents engage in sustainable behaviour tend to relate, in general, to the time and inconvenience imposed by engaging in these activities, a lack of knowledge about what more to do and the features/performance of alternative products (in the case of major purchases).
For each of the areas mentioned above, respondents were read a list of prompted sustainable actions/behaviours and asked to state, which, if any, they perform regularly, out of habit.
3.1 Heating and general energy use
Overall, New Zealanders are doing the most to be sustainable in relation to the area of heating and general energy use. That is, not only are they currently performing the greatest number of sustainable actions (an average of 5.3 out of a list of seven prompted actions, please refer to Table 10 for the full range of sustainable actions), but they are also performing these actions most frequently.
For example, almost all respondents reported they regularly ‘turned the lights off in rooms that were not being used’ (96 percent). In addition, the majority ‘pulled the curtains before dark to keep the heat in’ (89 percent), ‘air-dried clothes instead of putting them in a clothes drier’ (84 percent) and ‘used blankets or warm clothes instead of turning the heating on’ (77 percent).
There were no significant differences by gender. However, those in the youngest age group (18–29 years) were significantly less likely to report using ‘energy efficient appliances or electrical equipment’.
Table 10: Sustainable actions/behaviours – heating and general energy use
Can you tell me which of the following things you do regularly, out of habit?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Turn the lights off in rooms that are not being used |
96 |
97 |
95 |
93 |
97 |
96 |
97 |
95 |
|
Pull the curtains before dark to keep the heat in |
89 |
87 |
90 |
89 |
89 |
90 |
87 |
88 |
|
Air-dry clothes instead of putting them in a clothes drier |
84 |
83 |
85 |
83 |
88 |
84 |
85 |
81 |
|
Use blankets or warm clothes instead of turning the heating on |
77 |
74 |
80 |
85 |
83 |
78 |
72 |
68 |
|
Use eco light bulbs |
67 |
66 |
67 |
63 |
67 |
63 |
71 |
70 |
|
Use energy efficient appliances or electrical equipment |
65 |
65 |
65 |
53 |
62 |
69 |
69 |
71 |
|
Unplug appliances or switch them off at the wall when they’re not in use |
55 |
54 |
57 |
53 |
53 |
55 |
53 |
62 |
|
Other |
2 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Don’t make a habit of doing any of these things |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Don’t know |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
In order to gain an understanding of the factors that influence New Zealanders’ sustainable actions/behaviours with regard to heating and general energy use, respondents that were engaged in at least one sustainable action (everyone in the case of heating and energy use) were asked to identify the reasons why they did these things.
Many recognised that taking such actions had positive implications for the environment and reported modelling their behaviour accordingly (64 percent reported engaging in these actions because ‘it’s good for the environment’).
However, financial benefits are also of importance with regard to this area, with the majority (74 percent) claiming that they engaged in such actions to ‘save money’.
While there were no significant differences by gender, those in the 30–39 years age group were significantly more likely to report engaging in sustainable action ‘to save money’.
Table 11: Sustainable actions/behaviours – heating and general energy use – reasons
And for which of the following reasons do you do these things? Is it ...?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
To save money |
74 |
72 |
76 |
68 |
85 |
77 |
75 |
65 |
|
It’s good for the environment |
64 |
59 |
68 |
62 |
61 |
62 |
61 |
71 |
|
Because it’s good for you and your family’s health and well-being |
47 |
42 |
52 |
42 |
48 |
48 |
47 |
52 |
|
It’s what your friends are doing |
6 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
Habit |
4 |
5 |
3 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
Other |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
Don’t know |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents whose household deal with heating and the general use of energy in a sustainable way.
In order to understand the barriers that may be preventing New Zealanders from engaging in sustainable actions in terms of heating and general energy use, all respondents were asked to identify the reasons why they were not doing these things, or not doing more of these things.
The amount of time and/or inconvenience associated with engaging in sustainable actions was identified as a major barrier by one-third of respondents (32 percent reported not doing these things/more of these things because ‘it takes too much time and is a hassle’). In addition, one-quarter (25 percent) of respondents reported not knowing what else or what more they could do.
While there were no statistically significant differences by gender, there were based on age. For example, those in the older age group (60+ years) were significantly less likely to report that they did not engage in sustainable actions because ‘it takes too much time and is a hassle’.
Table 12: Sustainable actions/behaviours – heating and general energy use – barriers
And for what reasons are you not doing these things/not doing more of these things?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Takes too much time and is a hassle |
32 |
31 |
32 |
40 |
42 |
28 |
34 |
19 |
|
Don’t know what else, or what more you can do |
25 |
24 |
25 |
14 |
20 |
26 |
28 |
35 |
|
Sometimes you just forget |
17 |
16 |
19 |
26 |
16 |
15 |
14 |
15 |
|
It would restrict your lifestyle |
8 |
8 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
|
The money you save is insignificant |
8 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
12 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
Energy saving products are unattractive |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
|
You don’t own the house you live in |
3 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
You’re not convinced there is a problem to be doing anything about |
3 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
|
Whatever you do won’t make a difference |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
It’s mainly up to the Government and businesses |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Don’t see why you should because hardly anyone else is doing it |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Other |
4 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
|
Don’t know/no particular reason |
12 |
10 |
14 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
18 |
|
Refused |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
3.2 Rubbish and waste
Overall, New Zealanders are dealing with household rubbish and waste in a moderately sustainable manner. That is, they are currently engaging in 5.3 out of a list of 9 prompted sustainable actions/behaviours in this area (please refer to Table 13 for the full range of sustainable actions).
In particular, there are a number of actions in relation to rubbish and waste that are being performed frequently, especially in the case of recycling. For example, almost all respondents reported that they regularly ‘recycle newspapers, magazines and cardboard’ (92 percent) and ‘recycle glass and plastic bottles (91 percent).
While there were no statistically significant differences by gender, those in the 30-39 years age group were significantly more likely to report ‘using clothing bins’.
Table 13: Sustainable actions/behaviours – rubbish and waste
Now thinking about how your household deals with rubbish and waste. Can you tell me which of the following things you do regularly, out of habit?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Recycle newspapers, magazines and cardboard |
92 |
90 |
93 |
90 |
91 |
93 |
90 |
94 |
|
Recycle glass and plastic bottles |
91 |
91 |
92 |
94 |
92 |
92 |
88 |
91 |
|
Use clothing bins |
81 |
75 |
86 |
81 |
90 |
83 |
79 |
73 |
|
Limit the use of council rubbish bags |
63 |
65 |
61 |
61 |
64 |
64 |
63 |
62 |
|
Buy products made of recycled materials |
54 |
48 |
59 |
50 |
54 |
59 |
54 |
52 |
|
Make your own compost |
54 |
57 |
51 |
53 |
49 |
50 |
55 |
61 |
|
Separate green waste at the tip |
52 |
52 |
52 |
48 |
58 |
55 |
54 |
48 |
|
Recycle electrical products such as computers |
34 |
33 |
35 |
25 |
34 |
38 |
37 |
35 |
|
Have a worm farm |
8 |
9 |
8 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
14 |
|
Other |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
|
None of these |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Don’t know |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Refused |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
As shown in Table 14, most respondents reported that they dealt with household rubbish and waste in a sustainable manner because ‘it is good for the environment’ (80 percent stated that this was the case for them).
Many respondents also reported that they engaged in such actions because it is ‘good for the garden’ (44 percent) and ‘good for them, and their family’s health and well-being’ (42 percent).
While there were no significant differences in gender, those in the oldest age group (60+ years) were significantly less likely to report doing these things ‘to save money’.
Table 14: Sustainable actions/behaviours – rubbish and waste – reasons
And for which of the following reasons do you do these things? Is it ...?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
It’s good for the environment |
80 |
77 |
83 |
79 |
80 |
81 |
81 |
79 |
|
It’s good for the garden |
44 |
43 |
46 |
36 |
38 |
45 |
47 |
55 |
|
Because it’s good for you and your family’s health and wellbeing |
42 |
39 |
45 |
39 |
45 |
43 |
41 |
43 |
|
To save money |
27 |
28 |
26 |
35 |
31 |
28 |
25 |
17 |
|
To get good products |
24 |
22 |
25 |
22 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
26 |
|
It’s what your friends are doing |
7 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
|
Habit |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
|
For the community/council or others |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Other |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Don’t know/no particular reason |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
* Sub-sample based on those respondents whose household deal with rubbish and waste in at least one sustainable way.
As was the case with heating and energy use, the major barriers respondents faced in dealing with household rubbish and waste in a sustainable manner were associated with the time and/or inconvenience of engaging in such actions (34 percent) and a general lack of knowledge about what/what more they could do (32 percent).
While there were no significant differences by gender, those in the oldest age group (60+ years) were significantly more likely to report that they ‘did not know what else or what more they can do’. Interestingly, this age group were also significantly less likely to report not doing these actions (or more of these actions) because ‘they take too much time and are a hassle’.
Table 15: Sustainable actions/behaviours – rubbish and waste – barriers
And for what reasons are you not doing these things/not doing more of these things?
|
Base = |
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
18 to 29
|
30 to 39
|
40 to 49
|
50 to 59
|
60+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Takes too much time and is a hassle |
34 |
32 |
36 |
44 |
38 |
34 |
31 |
23 |
|
Don’t know what else, or what more you can do |
32 |
33 |
31 |
25 |
26 |
29 |
36 |
44 |
|
I simply forget |
8 |
8 |
8 |
12 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
|
Don’t have a garden |
7 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
|
It costs too much |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
|
Restricts your lifestyle |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
|
There’s no kerbside collection where you live |
4 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
You don’t have a recycle bin |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
It’s messy |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
You do not own the house you live in |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Don’t see why you should because hardly anyone else is doing it |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Recycling products and bins are unattractive |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
It’s mainly up to the Government and business |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Other |
7 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
|
Don’t know/no particular reason |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
10 |
12 |
|
Refused |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total may exceed 100% because of multiple response.
