One in four people (25%) consider online shopping bad for the environment, despite the carbon footprint of delivery. Only 30% consider doing laundry to have an environmental effect.
Boiling the kettle, enjoying a BBQ, and leaving the tap running were also among the activities many don’t think are harmful to the environment.
It was also found that eight out of ten adults continue to do things they know are harmful for the planet. Only 43 percent claim there is no better alternative.
Others are unable to give up things to help the environment because alternatives are too expensive, or they don’t want to miss out on certain experiences.
Teresa Arbuckle, managing director of Beko plc, supplier of home appliance brand Grundig, which commissioned the study to raise awareness of its FiberCatcher technology, said: “It is important for us as a nation to understand the extent to which our daily activities are having an impact on our planet.
“Our purpose is to lead by example and inspire people to take small steps, starting from home, towards a better future.”
The study also found nearly one in four adults (23 percent) admit they do more washing than needed, while 29 percent don’t always do a full load.
Half of respondents (49 percent) didn’t realise the microfibres from their washing is one of the leading sources of plastic pollution – with the microfibres from synthetic clothes making their way into rivers and seas.
65 percent did not know that microplastics can be found in food and drinks.
However, two-thirds of respondents admitted that they would give up certain foods if they could observe the pollution.
A majority (76 percent) believe more needs to done to raise awareness about hidden dangers from microfibres in our waterways.
More than 81% of respondents (81%) said they would wash clothes less often if it wasn’t for the plastic pollution in our oceans.
But 31 percent of adults polled, via OnePoll, have a “what I don’t know won’t hurt me” attitude towards global warming and environmental pollution.
Nearly half (45 percent) also believe microfibre plastic pollution isn’t spoken about because many don’t understand it, while a further 29 percent think it’s too complex.
Grundig has teamed with the Marine Conservation Society to increase awareness about microfibre plastic pollution, and encourage people to take action. The group’s Stop Ocean Threads campaign aims to protect the oceans and make them cleaner.
Teresa Arbuckle added: “We believe each individual can positively impact the planet by making small changes in their daily activities, and we are proud to be helping consumers achieve a more sustainable living.
“We are committed to leading the industry forward with the launch of Grundig washing machines with FiberCatcher technology, with the world’s first integrated synthetic microfibre filtering system, helping minimise synthetic fibre pollution.”
TOP THINGS THAT BRITS THINK IS THE MOST HARMFUL TO OUR PLANET
- Not properly recycling
- Use plastic bags
- Use plastic straws
- Not properly disposing of batteries
- Driving instead of walking
- Do not turn off the tap
- Paper is a waste
- Removing the TV from standby
- Leave appliances plugged in
- Certain household products can be used
- Book a flight/holiday
- A tumble dryer is a good choice.
- Consuming meat
- Charging phones overnight
- The dishwasher
- Boil the kettle
- Technology
- Enjoying a barbecue
- Washing your clothes
- Toilet flushing