Brits happy to be green - but on their terms

More than eight in ten Brits, 82%, are annoyed by government and business initiatives that are forcing green values on them, according to research from Legal & General.

With climate change minister, Joan Ruddock proposing plans to implement a 10p "throwaway tax" on plastic carrier bags, one green initiative that is disliked by nearly one in four people is having to pay for plastic bags at shops and supermarkets, 23%. Other green initiatives that are disliked include being charged for waste removal, 54%, and half are unhappy with the reduction in waste collections.

With 98% of Brits saying that they are taking steps to make their home more environmentally friendly, the new findings suggest Brits want to make their own decisions and choices on how green to be.

The findings are part of Legal & General's Changing Face of British Homes research, which surveyed a GB representative sample of over 4,000 adults. The following table highlights what is annoying Brits the most when it comes to enforced environmental measures:

The most annoying Government and business green initiatives - % of Brits

Charging for waste removal 54%
Reduced waste collections 50%
Energy ratings as part of Home Information Packs 27%
Paying for plastic carrier bags 23%
Water meters 22%

While both men and women are similarly annoyed, British men are more irritated, 84%, than women, 80%.

Older householders are coping less well with green initiatives - 85% of those aged 55 or over admitted to being annoyed by the implementation of green measures compared to only 74% of 18 to 24 year olds.

Despite Brits' frustrations at being forced to go green, many are keen to play their part at being environmentally friendly and voluntarily already take green steps in their homes:

Steps Brits already take to be more environmentally friendly in their homes - % of Brits

Recycle rubbish 83%
Turn off lights in empty rooms 82%
Use low energy light bulbs 72%
Use reusable shopping bags 71%
Do not leave TV/electrical items on standby 64%
Have double glazing or draft proofing 37%
Share bath water 27%
Installing extra loft insulation 25%
Recycle rain water 23%

Ruth Wilkins, Head of communications at Legal & General's general insurance business commented: "While people are annoyed by the implementation of green initiatives the efforts being made to force residents to recycle more of their rubbish are beginning to pay off, with recycling rates jumping from 7% to 33% in the past ten years. Legal & General's recent research would support these findings as the Changing Face of British Homes research shows that a large number of us are taking steps to become greener. Brits simply want to make their own decisions regarding how and when to be green.

Legal & General understands that the look and feel of our homes is changing and that people are looking at ways to improve their carbon footprint. Legal & General has responded to this change by automatically including cover for solar panels, wind turbines and ground source heating pumps under the buildings section of their household insurance policy. We would advise anyone considering making any major green improvements to their home to check their insurance cover to make sure they are covered under the terms of their policy."