Most parents are concerned about the environment for their children – here’s what they’re doing about it

Seven in 10 parents are worried about what the world will look like for their children in the years to come (72%), according to a new study.

A survey of 2,000 parents of children under 18 saw a quarter go further and state the environment as more of a concern than the future job market (11%), the political landscape (5%) or even the quality of their food. available in the coming years. 10%).

How are they handling it with their children? The survey found that good habits start at home with 41% saying it is a high priority for their family to practice sustainability and almost all parents surveyed encourage their children not to be wasteful (89%).

According to the survey conducted by Talker Research for the Chinet brand, some of the most common sustainability lessons parents give are to turn off the lights when they are not in the room (59%), not to leave the water running for long periods of time. (55%) and use only what they need (52%).

Others encourage their children to avoid littering (50%) and pass on old toys and clothes (46%).

And parents are living what they teach – one in four have even stopped being friends with someone because of their persistence habits or lack thereof (27%).

According to respondents, sharing similar views is important for building relationships in adulthood, especially when it comes to lifestyle choices (53%), music (48%) and environmentalism (17%).

Among parenting methods (29%) and financial habits (21%), differences in how others feel about the environment can also be a barrier for respondents.

Why the commitment to environmentalism? The results showed that 72% believe that their generation has a high responsibility to make efforts to be more sustainable to benefit the next generation before it is too late.

According to respondents, being stable is easier with older children at home (35%) than younger children.

However, doing the right thing isn’t always easy, regardless of their child’s age: one in six admit they struggle to practice sustainability in their family.

When shopping for items for their baby, nearly five times as many respondents admit they think about convenience and time-saving options more than durability.

Even more respondents prioritize cost-effectiveness, although sustainability is similarly ranked as a priority over choosing organic products.

“We know parents are always strapped for time,” said Melissa Rakos, product manager for the Chinet brand. “It can be challenging to balance time-saving tactics with sustainability goals while managing the hustle and bustle of everyday life.â€

Parents find themselves buying items that might be considered waste each month for their children, such as frozen meals (58%), napkins or paper towels (57%), and single-serve juice pouches (45%).

Respondents admitted that waste is not top of mind, especially when using beans and paper towels (32%) or single-serve meals (32%).

But parents are also prepared to put their money where their mouth is.

When asked how much more they would pay for sustainable versions of everyday items, the average parent said they would spend 46% more on better tableware, 43% more on sustainable beans and paper towels and 53 % more for greener clothes.

Parents hope that teaching their children about sustainability will pay off, with nearly half believing that the next generation of adults will be more sustainable (48%).

“Leading by example is a great way to teach kids about resilience,” Rakos said. “Even if that means making small changes like choosing more sustainable disposable products and showing your kids how to recycle or compost, those changes will add up over time.”