Passed in theory, failed in practice, despite good intentions. This is the verdict reported in the "eco-report card" of the new generations, who confirm themselves as sensitive and attentive to environmental issues, but are not always fully aware of how to translate good intentions into correct behavior.
A survey conducted by the student portal Skuola.net in collaboration with COREPLA – National Consortium for the Collection, Recycling and Recovery of Plastic Packaging – photographing this two-faced state of the art, interviewing a sample of 2.500 girls and boys between the ages of 16 and 34.
The commitment of the "Green Generation" stems, above all, from one premise: nearly three out of four of its members (74%) say they are concerned about the dispersion of plastics into the environment. And a further 21%, while not particularly alarmed, recognize the need to work to limit the phenomenon. Only 5%, therefore, say they are completely immune to so-called "eco-anxiety" regarding polymers and similar materials.
However, the transition from theory to practice remains complex. When it comes to knowledge of the basic rules of recycling, certainties are wavering: 1 in 5 young people—exactly 20%—admit they lack sufficient information to properly separate waste, while over half (55%) say they are "only partially confident" in their choices. Only a quarter of the sample (25%) say they feel truly competent in the matter.
In any case, awareness of the problem's existence is certainly there. And it translates into widespread adoption of virtuous approaches: 9 out of 10 young people, not surprisingly, say they often or always recycle (or at least try to), and approximately 1 in 2 pays attention to the sustainability of product packaging when shopping, ensuring it is as "sustainable" and recyclable as possible.
But, as mentioned, at the same time, it can't be ignored that there are some problems. Focusing again on plastics—one of the most challenging chapters in the "Book of Recycling"—the majority of those interviewed seem to have internalized some fundamental rules: 70% know that bottles and containers should be emptied, crushed, and disposed of in the plastic bin, while 80% are aware that before throwing a yogurt container in the plastic bin, the tab (usually aluminum) should be removed.
However, when they have more "complex" waste in their hands, things change (and not by a little): just to give a few specific examples, only 39% know that polystyrene should be thrown in the plastic bin, while 4 out of 10 mistakenly dispose of it in the unsorted waste.
The error rate is even higher when it comes to plastic toys: only 35% correctly believe they should be thrown away in the general waste collection. And what about multilayered packaging or labels made of different materials: more than 4 in 10 admit to getting confused when it comes time to dispose of them.
A mixed picture that reveals how, despite widespread commitment, a thorough understanding of waste disposal regulations is still lacking. Fortunately, however, curiosity and a desire to learn more are not lacking: 8 out of 10 young people say they independently educate themselves on the environment and recycling.
Social networks lead the way (24%), followed by websites and information portals (18%), closely followed by more "traditional" sources such as schools and universities (14%) and families (12%). Finally, influencers specializing in environmental issues (7%) also gain a share of the audience .
These numbers confirm how digital channels are the primary tool for keeping new generations updated, even in this regard. But they also highlight how high the risk of inaccuracies or incomplete information remains.
Perhaps this is also why the demand for more solid and ongoing education is growing. Over a fifth of young people interviewed (22%) consider school the ideal place to learn how to truly protect the environment, even better than online campaigns (17%) or initiatives promoted by traditional media, such as radio and TV (16%).
Therefore, strengthening the central role of educational institutions in building an environmental culture based on facts and verified knowledge. Hence the importance of continuing awareness-raising projects, both in schools and online gathering places, to consolidate the transition towards more sustainable and responsible citizenship.
" The data shows that young people have a strong environmental awareness, but often lack the practical information to translate it into concrete action. This is why it is essential to invest in targeted educational projects and clear, accessible communication campaigns ," says Daniele Grassucci, director of Skuola.net.
The article provides a detailed analysis of young people's environmental awareness, but there are several uncertainties regarding recycling. It's important to provide more clear and practical information to help them improve their daily actions.