One in three millennials consider sustainability when choosing a job

Study sheds light on millennials' feelings towards recycling in the workplace and how it impacts their choice of employer.

One out of every three millennials are so committed to sustainability, they take a company’s reputation as a sustainable business into consideration when choosing their next job, according to a new study commissioned by Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP). 

The study, ‘Recycling in the Workplace: A Millennial View’,  surveyed more than 1000 people aged 18-34 and found almost one in two millennials are so committed to sustainability issues they would be willing to give up a day of annual leave if all of the employees at their company recycled.

Two in three of this social media-savvy generation stated they would give up social media for a week if all of the employees at their company committed to recycling.

As this generation continues to become a driving force in the job market, employers will need to take note of these workers’ values and adapt their sustainability strategies accordingly to attract and maintain new talent.

“The findings of our recycling study show a tangible commitment to sustainability is a requirement for the next generation of workers,” said Anna Whitton, RCP vice president of marketing.

“Millennials are ready to make a difference and willing to turn down jobs that don’t align with their beliefs. RCP will continue working with this emerging generation to promote waste reduction and provide superior recycling solutions in commercial environments.”

The report’s other key findings included:

  • Nine in 10 millennials (aged 18-34) say it is important they work for a sustainable company, compared to 84 per cent of Gen Xers (aged 35-49) and 77 per cent of Baby Boomers (aged 50-64)
  • 58 per cent of millennials say they have taken something another person threw away at work and recycled it
  • 82 per cent of millennials look for opportunities to help their company become more sustainable and 67 per cent feel they have enough influence in their workplace to make an impact on matters such as sustainability
  • More than 80 per cent of millennials whose employer does not have a recycling system in place believe employers have a responsibility to encourage recycling in the workplace

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