Most Canadians think the country produces excessive waste – Co-operators

Most Canadians think the country produces excessive waste – Co-operators | Insurance Business Canada

Environmental

Most Canadians think the country produces excessive waste – Co-operators

Insurance-related waste is part of the issue

Environmental

By
Terry Gangcuangco

A recent survey by Co-operators reveals that landfill waste is a significant concern for Canadians. A majority (78%) of those surveyed agreed that the country produces excessive waste, while 65% believe that this waste exceeds manageable levels.

Despite many Canadians already adopting waste reduction habits, 62% are still eager to learn more about sustainable living. According to the survey, 75% of Canadians believe it’s crucial for companies to manage their waste responsibly.

The above sentiment is especially strong among younger Canadians; nearly half (49%) of Gen Zers feel that corporations hold more responsibility for sustainability compared to just 23% of Boomers.

Interestingly, Boomers are the most proactive in individual waste reduction efforts, with 78% engaging in activities to prevent landfill waste, compared to 49% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials.

Craig Bran, vice president of claims at Co-operators, noted: “Canada is sending over 26 million tonnes of waste to landfill every year. In 2023 our customer claims resulted in 116,000 tonnes of waste – that’s nearly the weight of the CN Tower. It’s unsustainable.

“Our survey found that nearly half of Canadians aren’t even considering where their insurance-related waste is going, but we are. That’s why we implemented sustainable claims – it reduces waste by prioritizing repair over replacement; and when we must replace, we empower our clients to live a more sustainable life by providing more sustainable options.”

As part of the Claim Changers initiative to promote sustainability in insurance, the Co-operators survey found that only 23% of Canadians are aware that repair or restoration is an option for insurance claims. In fact, just 19% of those who filed claims in the last five years were offered the choice to repair rather than replace, even though 65% of respondents prefer to repair items if they can be restored to their original condition.

At the same time, Canadians recognize the importance of comprehensive societal solutions, with 61% agreeing that rural areas need better waste management programs and 68% stating that urban areas need improved education on sustainable purchasing, waste mitigation, and repair options.

The national online survey, conducted between May 8 and 14, polled 1,500 adult residents across Canada.

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