Go to war on waste

The majority of North West residents believe the country should use the wartime spirit in an effort to cut waste, according to research from the Energy Saving Trust.

The trust was set up to help people fight climate change, and its UK-wide survey was commissioned as part of the new Wartime Spirit campaign.

The campaign aims to highlight how people can take the best from the past to reduce waste and save energy in the present.

72% of people polled in the region thought local communities should work together more to help manage resources similar to the communal nature of the wartime effort — for example, by sharing leftover food with neighbours or car sharing.

And more than half (55%) thought measures such as rationing or personal daily allowances were needed to help the British public cut down on excess.

A range of age groups took part in the survey, which found that among the over 80s, 67% say they are carrying on the tips and values they picked up during the Second World War.

Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: “If we could adopt just a few of the practices used during the war, such as recycling bath water for watering plants, then it would go a long way towards saving energy and reducing our carbon footprint.”

The survey also found that:

81% of residents use leftovers to make the following day’s meal, and repair items of clothing, such as sewing on a button or zip or darning a sock.

93% think younger generations are more wasteful than their own generation

85% think younger generations could benefit from the knowledge and attitudes acquired during the Second World War.