ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN CHANGING CONSUMERS' LIVES AND BUYING HABITS

In a consumer survey taken in advance of Earth Day (April 22) by BuzzBack Market Research, 72 percent of those asked said they used energy efficient light bulbs and 57 percent said they purchased recycled products. But much work still needs to be done to change attitudes among consumers as less than 10 percent say they buy products only from “green” companies.

BuzzBack conducted a survey among 1,141 people in the US and United Kingdom to learn how they are changing their lives to be more “green” or environmentally conscious. About half of those surveyed agree completely/somewhat "that the environment is the most important issue, and are willing to make sacrifices such as convenience, comfort or cost savings in order to support the environment."

When it comes to using products to improve the environment, US consumers say they do the following more often than not:

72% use energy efficient light bulbs
70% turn down the thermostat
71% recycle paper
68% turn off electric appliances rather than leave them on stand-by
67% take more showers than baths to conserve water
57% recycle glass
57% purchase recycled products
55% purchase recycled paper
51% purchase refill products
38% use less household chemicals
36% walk short distances rather than drive
31% buy organic fruit or vegetables
20% take fewer flights
15% buy organic meat
6% only buy products from companies they consider Green
4% use a hybrid car
About three-quarters in both the US and UK are ‘extremely/slightly’ worried about global warming. More UK consumers are ‘slightly’ worried, and nearly two-thirds of these have made changes to things they do or buy as a result. In the US, among those worried about global warming, only half have made changes to what they do or buy.

BuzzBack Market Research, a New York City Internet consumer research and marketing firm, developed the study when several clients asked about sustainability and issues related to environmental consumerism.