Why did Nalgene field this study?
Environmental awareness has become a heightened issue in recent years among Americans, however, the country still has a long way to go in doing our part for the environment. Although many think of Nalgene as simply a reusable bottle and container company, we like to think that we are much more than that. With this study, our hope is to both encourage and educate Americans on small changes that everyone can make on an individual level, like using a reusable bottle in place of bottled water, that can help add up to make a big difference on the planet.
At Nalgene, we try to use sustainable practices when we can, but like many of America’s cities, still have a long way to go. With this study, we are hoping to encourage cities, communities, companies and even individuals around the country to change simple habits that can add up to have a big impact on our environment.
Who was polled in Nalgene's America's Least Wasteful Cities Study?
The survey polled 3,750 Americans residing in the largest 25 cities in the United States based on D.M.A. The survey was conducted through independent research firm Greenfield Online.
How did Nalgene determine what makes a city wasteful?
The study polled respondents on 23 wasteful or non-wasteful habits of urban Americans, gauging behavior on waste, sustainability efforts, shopping habits, transportation and reusing items. The results were weighted to give more credit to behaviors that had immediate and significant impact on the planet (i.e., using public transportation, reducing driving, recycling or reducing trash) to small habits that are more indicative of a mindset and non-wasteful approach to life (i.e,. using rain barrels, saving wrapping paper and ribbons.) For more information, please visit the Methodology.
Who is America’s 2010 Least Wasteful City?
San Francisco ranked as the least wasteful city in the study for the second year in a row. San Francisco residents ranked the highest in the categories of recycling, using public transportation, using rain barrels, limiting car trips for commutes that are less than one mile from home, using reclosable bags and tinfoil, and participating in their city’s sustainability programs.
More than half (57%) of the city’s residents would give themselves either an “A” or “B” grade for their personal commitment to the environment. In addition, 43% of residents admitted that they felt “extremely concerned about the environment.”
For more results information please visit www.leastwastefulcities.com
Who is America’s 2010 most wasteful city?
Houston ranked as the most wasteful city in the nation this year. Houston residents ranked the lowest in the categories of recycling, throwing out less than two bags of trash per week, buying locally grown and produced products, using reusable shopping bags, and borrowing books from the library instead of buying new. Houston residents ranked second to last in the categories of using reusable bottles in place of single-serve beverage containers, using reusable containers in place of disposable food storage items such as plastics bags, etc, avoiding buying bottled water and participating in their city’s sustainability programs.
In addition, 65% of Houston residents gave themselves a “C” grade or below when it came to grading their commitment to the environment, while only 29% admitted that they felt “extremely concerned about the environment.”
For more results information please visit www.leastwastefulcities.com
Overall, what can U.S. cities be doing better to be less wasteful?
Overall, results show that – with the exception of recycling - urban Americans are only embracing non-wasteful behaviors when it comes to small, everyday habits and those that are both economical and convenient such as saving leftovers, turning off lights, and using energy efficient light bulbs. Collectively, continuing to practice these small steps is a critical component towards making a big difference. However, the study also shows that there are some other activities that have a heftier impact on the planet that urban Americans could practice more frequently, such as using public transportation, composting and using a rain barrel – the three least practiced “least wasteful behaviors” in the study.
How is Nalgene helping U.S. cities be less wasteful?
One way Nalgene is helping U.S. cities and municipalities across the country to be less wasteful, is through their Refill Not Landfill Community Sustainability Program. The program was created to aid cities and municipalities in reducing their carbon footprints by using reusable water bottles in place of bottled water.
In addition, Nalgene has partnered with organizations like FilterForGood and Surfrider to help raise awareness about individuals’ impact on the environment and organize movements that can help affect change. To learn more about these partnerships please visit www.FilterForGood.com and www.Surfrider.org.
What can you do personally do to be less wasteful?
Lastly, a city can be no greener than the individuals who live there. The first step to making your city greener is to work on reducing your personal carbon footprint and encourage your family, friends and company to do this same.
One easy way to start being less wasteful is committing to using a reusable water bottle in place of single-serving bottled water. For more ideas on behaviors you can improve on, take our Least Wasteful Cities test http://www.leastwastefulcities.com where you’ll be able to see specific areas that you can work on.
For more information, please visit, www.leastwastefulcities.com, www.RefillNotLandfill.org and www.FilterForGood.com to take the pledge to reduce your bottled water waste.
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