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International comparison:
For more information on this release:
E-mail: environment@cso.ie Clare O'Hara 01 498 4208 Gerry Brady 01 498 4201
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Household Environmental Behaviours - Waste and Recycling

2021 Q3

Table A: Food and Garden Waste Disposal by Urban or Rural Location, Quarter 3 20211
 % of weighted households
 Organic (brown) bin General waste bin Compost at home Feed to animals
Food waste       
      Rural24% 34% 29% 28%
      Urban64% 25% 10% 6%
Garden waste       
      Rural10% 5% 69% -
      Urban52% 9% 22% -
1 More than one method could be selected

69% of rural households compost garden waste at home

Household Environmental Behaviours Waste and Recycling Q3
go to full release

Some of the main findings from the CSO Household Environmental Behaviours survey on Waste and Recycling are:

  • Around 80% of Irish households have a wheelie bin collection service for non-recyclable and for recyclable waste (see Tables 1 and 2)
  • 29% of rural households compost food waste and 28% feed it to animals (see Figure 1 and Table A)
  • 25% of households experienced irritating noise pollution from road traffic compared with 19% from dogs and 19% from neighbouring houses (see Table 5)

Table A shows a breakdown of food and garden waste disposal methods by urban or rural location. Urban households were more likely to dispose of their food and garden waste using an organic (brown) bin collection service, with 64% and 52% of urban households using the organic bin for food and garden waste respectively, compared with 24% (food waste) and 10% (garden waste) for rural households. 

Rural households were more likely to dispose of their food waste by using the general waste bin (34%), by composting it at home (29%) or by feeding it to animals (28%). Around 69% of rural households composted their garden waste, compared with 22% of urban households.

The most common method of disposing of recyclable household waste was through use of a recyclables wheelie bin collection service with 78% of households using this method nationally (see Table 2). A further 11% of households brought their recyclable waste to a recycling centre while 5% shared a recyclables bin with a neighbour, relative or friend. Only 1% of households responded that they did not recycle.

Figure 2 shows a breakdown by region of methods of disposing of recyclable household waste.

OtherDo not recycleRecyclables pre-paid bag collectionShare recyclables bin with neighbour, relative or friendBring to recycling centreRecyclables wheelie bin collection
Border01131673
Dublin1136581
Mid-East1003785
Mid-West20081375
Midland30121673
South-East01141674
South-West10151474
West00241276

Recyclables wheelie bin collection services were most commonly used in the Mid-East region with 85% of households reporting this as their main method of disposing of recyclable waste compared with 73% in the Border and Midland regions. However 16% of households in the Border, Midland and South-East regions brought their recyclable waste to a recycling centre compared with 5% of Dublin households and 7% of households in the Mid-East. A further 3% of Dublin households used a recyclables pre-paid bag collection service, compared with 1% nationally (see Table 2).

Figure 3 shows household experiences of noise pollution by type of tenure. A full breakdown of household experiences of noise pollution by household characteristics is provided in Table 5.

Owner-occupiedRented
Road traffic2134
Dogs1922
Neighbouring houses1430
Airplanes56
Industrial36
Trains26
Hospitality sector13
None of the above5844

Households whose members were renting the property were more likely to experience noise pollution of every kind than households which were owner-occupied. Respondents were asked to select all types of noise pollution that they experienced at a sufficient level to cause irritation. No irritating noise pollution was experience by 58% of owner-occupied households and by 44% of households who were renting. 

The main sources of noise pollution were road traffic, neighbouring houses and dogs. Road traffic was the most common noise pollution experienced by both renters (34%) and owner-occupiers (21%). Households who were renting also reported high levels of noise pollution from neighbouring houses (30% compared with 14% for owner-occupied households) and dogs (22% of rented households and 19% of owner-occupied households).

Table 6A shows that 12% of households nationally have had their home tested for radon. Testing was most common in the South-East at 23%, followed by the West (21%) and the South-West (17%) where radon levels tend to be higher. Only 6% of Midland households and 5% of Dublin households had had their homes tested for radon. 

Figure 4 shows how frequently households purchased or received used clothes and textiles, used electrical or electronic equipment, or used furniture from charity or second-hand shops, online platforms and private gifts, donations or swaps.

NeverSometimesOften
Used clothes from a charity or second-hand shop55368
Used clothes from an online platform69208
Used clothes from private gifts, donations or swaps65275
Used electrical or electronic equipment from a charity or second-hand shop82151
Used electrical or electronic equipment from an online platform66284
Used electrical or electronic equipment from private gifts, donations or swaps72241
Used furniture from a charity or second-hand shop64312
Used furniture from an online platform73232
Used furniture from private gifts, donations or swaps69271

Figure 4 shows that 8% of households often bought or received used clothes or textiles from a charity shop or online platform. A further 36% of households sometimes purchased used clothes or textiles from charity shops while 28% often or sometimes bought or received used electrical or electronic equipment via online platforms and 31% often or sometimes bought used furniture from charity shops. 

Tables 8A-8C, 9A-9C and 10A-10C show a breakdown by household characteristics of purchases and receipts of used clothes or textiles, used electrical or electronic equipment and used furniture from charity shops, online platforms and private gifts, donations or swaps.

Table 8B shows that 16% of the 18-34 years age group often bought or received used clothes via online platforms while a further 27% reported sometimes using online platforms to purchase or receive used clothes or textiles. Table 10C shows that 34% of women compared with 19% of men sometimes received used furniture through private gifts, donations or swaps.

This release is one of four statistical releases based on the CSO General Household Survey Environment module from Quarter 3, 2021. The other three reports cover Environmental Concerns; Visits to Nature Areas; and Energy Use.

Table 1: What is your household’s main method for disposing of NON-RECYCLABLE household waste (e.g. heavily soiled food packaging)?
 % of weighted households 
 Wheelie bin collection service Pre-paid bag collection service Share bin with a neighbour, relative or friend Bring it to a recycling centre that accepts it Bring it to a Pay-to-Use unit at a petrol station or similar location Bring it to work Other No response Sample Households
Total80% 2% 5% 8% 0% 0% 2% 2% 4,641
                  
Nature of occupancy                 
      Owner-occupied83% 2% 4% 8% 0% 0% 1% 1% 4,013
      Rented74% 3% 9% 6% 1% 0% 3% 4% 628
                  
Number of occupants                 
      1 occupant66% 4% 12% 10% 1% 0% 4% 3% 755
      2 occupants78% 3% 6% 9% 1% 0% 2% 2% 1,376
      3 occupants83% 1% 4% 9% 0% 0% 1% 2% 901
      4 occupants89% 1% 2% 5% 0% 0% 1% 1% 975
      5 or more occupants86% 1% 3% 5% 0% 0% 1% 3% 634
                  
Number of children                 
      1 person under 1883% 2% 5% 6% 0% 0% 2% 1% 651
      2 persons under 1891% 1% 2% 5% 0% 0% 1% 0% 706
      3 or more persons under 1888% 0% 5% 3% 0% 1% 0% 3% 334
                  
Dwelling type                 
      Detached house80% 1% 4% 11% 0% 1% 1% 2% 1,854
      Semi-detached house87% 1% 2% 6% 0% 0% 1% 2% 1,590
      Terraced house81% 6% 5% 6% 1% 0% 0% 1% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block61% 4% 20% 3% 0% 0% 7% 4% 390
      Other68% 6% 12% 4% 1% 0% 2% 6% 94
                  
Construction date                 
      Before 196177% 5% 5% 9% 1% 0% 1% 1% 891
      1961-198084% 2% 4% 8% 0% 0% 1% 1% 865
      1981-200082% 2% 4% 8% 0% 0% 2% 2% 1,257
      2001 or later82% 1% 6% 7% 0% 1% 2% 1% 1,280
      Unknown construction period70% 3% 9% 5% 1% 1% 4% 8% 348
                  
Region                 
      Border78% 3% 4% 9% 0% 1% 1% 3% 257
      Dublin82% 4% 6% 3% 0% 0% 2% 2% 1,725
      Mid-East87% 0% 4% 4% 0% 0% 2% 2% 704
      Mid-West79% 0% 10% 6% 1% 1% 1% 2% 372
      Midland73% 2% 5% 14% 1% 0% 2% 4% 196
      South-East80% 1% 4% 12% 2% 0% 2% 0% 357
      South-West76% 1% 6% 12% 1% 0% 2% 2% 668
      West76% 4% 4% 10% 0% 0% 3% 4% 362
                  
Urban/Rural                 
      Rural areas73% 2% 6% 15% 0% 1% 2% 2% 1,078
      Urban areas84% 2% 5% 4% 0% 0% 2% 2% 2,984
      Not known75% 4% 7% 8% 1% 0% 2% 2% 579
                  
Age group of respondent                 
      18-34 years74% 5% 8% 5% 1% 0% 3% 5% 586
      35-44 years82% 2% 6% 5% 1% 0% 1% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years84% 2% 4% 7% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1,177
      55-64 years78% 2% 5% 11% 0% 0% 1% 2% 979
      65 years or over78% 2% 5% 11% 0% 0% 2% 1% 864
                  
Sex of respondent                 
      Male80% 2% 5% 7% 0% 0% 2% 2% 2,194
      Female80% 2% 6% 8% 1% 0% 2% 2% 2,447
                  
Working status of respondent                 
      Working for payment or profit82% 2% 6% 6% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2,939
      Retired from employment79% 2% 5% 12% 0% 0% 2% 1% 881
      Looking after home or family78% 1% 2% 7% 1% 0% 2% 9% 233
      Other76% 3% 6% 10% 0% 0% 3% 3% 588
Table 2: What is your household’s main method for disposing of RECYCLABLE household waste (e.g. paper and cardboard packaging)?
 % of weighted households 
 Recyclables wheelie bin collection service Bring it to a recycling centre Share recyclables bin with a neighbour, relative or friend Recyclables pre-paid bag collection service Bring it to work Do not recycle Other No response Sample Households
Total78% 11% 5% 1% 0% 1% 1% 4% 4,641
                  
Nature of occupancy                 
      Owner-occupied80% 11% 4% 1% 0% 0% 1% 3% 4,013
      Rented73% 9% 8% 2% 0% 1% 1% 5% 628
                  
Number of occupants                 
      1 occupant65% 16% 11% 2% 0% 1% 1% 3% 755
      2 occupants75% 12% 5% 2% 0% 0% 1% 4% 1,376
      3 occupants80% 10% 4% 1% 0% 0% 0% 3% 901
      4 occupants86% 7% 2% 1% 0% 0% 1% 3% 975
      5 or more occupants83% 7% 2% 0% 0% 0% 1% 6% 634
                  
Number of children                 
      1 person under 1881% 8% 4% 1% 0% 1% 1% 4% 651
      2 persons under 1887% 6% 2% 0% 0% 0% 1% 4% 706
      3 or more persons under 1885% 6% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 334
                  
Dwelling type                 
      Detached house77% 14% 3% 1% 0% 0% 1% 4% 1,854
      Semi-detached house85% 8% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0% 4% 1,590
      Terraced house81% 8% 4% 4% 0% 0% 0% 3% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block59% 10% 18% 3% 0% 2% 3% 5% 390
      Other68% 5% 15% 4% 0% 4% 1% 3% 94
                  
Construction date                 
      Before 196174% 14% 5% 4% 0% 0% 1% 3% 891
      1961-198081% 12% 3% 0% 0% 0% 1% 4% 865
      1981-200079% 12% 4% 1% 0% 0% 0% 4% 1,257
      2001 or later80% 9% 5% 1% 0% 1% 1% 3% 1,280
      Unknown construction period69% 6% 10% 2% 0% 1% 2% 9% 348
                  
Region                 
      Border73% 16% 3% 1% 0% 1% 0% 6% 257
      Dublin81% 5% 6% 3% 0% 1% 1% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East85% 7% 3% 0% 0% 0% 1% 4% 704
      Mid-West75% 13% 8% 0% 1% 0% 1% 2% 372
      Midland73% 16% 2% 1% 0% 0% 3% 6% 196
      South-East74% 16% 4% 1% 0% 1% 0% 4% 357
      South-West74% 14% 5% 1% 0% 0% 1% 4% 668
      West76% 12% 4% 2% 0% 0% 0% 5% 362
                  
Urban/Rural                 
      Rural areas71% 18% 4% 1% 0% 1% 1% 3% 1,078
      Urban areas83% 6% 5% 1% 0% 0% 1% 4% 2,984
      Not known69% 15% 7% 2% 0% 1% 1% 5% 579
                  
Age group of respondent                 
      18-34 years74% 5% 7% 3% 0% 2% 1% 7% 586
      35-44 years79% 8% 6% 1% 0% 1% 1% 4% 1,035
      45-54 years82% 11% 3% 1% 0% 0% 1% 3% 1,177
      55-64 years76% 15% 4% 1% 0% 0% 1% 3% 979
      65 years or over75% 14% 4% 1% 0% 0% 1% 4% 864
                  
Sex of respondent                 
      Male80% 10% 4% 1% 0% 1% 1% 3% 2,194
      Female76% 11% 5% 2% 0% 0% 1% 4% 2,447
                  
Working status of respondent                 
      Working for payment or profit80% 9% 5% 1% 0% 1% 1% 3% 2,939
      Retired from employment75% 15% 4% 1% 0% 0% 1% 4% 881
      Looking after home or family77% 11% 1% 0% 0% 1% 2% 8% 233
      Other73% 14% 4% 2% 0% 1% 1% 4% 588
Table 3: How does your household usually dispose of FOOD WASTE (including raw or cooked, edible or inedible parts of food)?
 % of weighted households  
 Put it in the organic (brown) bin for collection Put it in the general (residual) waste bin for collection Bring it to a recycling centre Compost it at home Feed it to animals No response Sample Households
Total49% 30% 2% 16% 13% 2% 4,641
              
Nature of occupancy             
      Owner-occupied50% 26% 3% 19% 15% 2% 4,013
      Rented47% 38% 2% 11% 8% 3% 628
              
Number of occupants             
      1 occupant41% 32% 4% 17% 11% 3% 755
      2 occupants47% 31% 3% 17% 12% 2% 1,376
      3 occupants54% 27% 2% 16% 15% 2% 901
      4 occupants55% 28% 1% 14% 14% 2% 975
      5 or more occupants49% 30% 1% 17% 14% 5% 634
              
Number of children             
      1 person under 1856% 29% 2% 13% 13% 1% 651
      2 persons under 1857% 29% 0% 13% 11% 1% 706
      3 or more persons under 1850% 33% 0% 17% 13% 4% 334
              
Dwelling type             
      Detached house37% 29% 3% 25% 21% 2% 1,854
      Semi-detached house67% 20% 2% 13% 9% 2% 1,590
      Terraced house62% 26% 2% 12% 8% 2% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block28% 62% 1% 3% 3% 3% 390
      Other38% 39% 4% 10% 16% 3% 94
              
Construction date             
      Before 196148% 25% 2% 27% 16% 2% 891
      1961-198057% 25% 2% 16% 12% 2% 865
      1981-200051% 25% 3% 16% 14% 3% 1,257
      2001 or later46% 35% 2% 14% 13% 2% 1,280
      Unknown construction period45% 40% 2% 7% 7% 5% 348
              
Region             
      Border27% 38% 4% 23% 25% 5% 257
      Dublin62% 30% 1% 10% 5% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East56% 27% 1% 14% 13% 1% 704
      Mid-West53% 25% 1% 17% 16% 1% 372
      Midland33% 31% 3% 25% 20% 4% 196
      South-East41% 32% 5% 20% 13% 2% 357
      South-West46% 27% 5% 17% 14% 3% 668
      West42% 32% 2% 19% 17% 2% 362
              
Urban/Rural             
      Rural areas24% 34% 4% 29% 28% 2% 1,078
      Urban areas64% 25% 2% 10% 6% 3% 2,984
      Not known34% 40% 2% 19% 13% 3% 579
              
Age group of respondent             
      18-34 years43% 38% 2% 12% 13% 5% 586
      35-44 years51% 35% 1% 13% 9% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years52% 30% 2% 16% 14% 1% 1,177
      55-64 years50% 23% 3% 18% 15% 3% 979
      65 years or over47% 22% 5% 23% 14% 3% 864
              
Sex of respondent             
      Male49% 30% 2% 16% 11% 2% 2,194
      Female49% 29% 2% 17% 15% 3% 2,447
              
Working status of respondent             
      Working for payment or profit50% 31% 2% 15% 12% 2% 2,939
      Retired from employment49% 21% 4% 24% 12% 2% 881
      Looking after home or family50% 26% 2% 17% 18% 6% 233
      Other44% 34% 3% 12% 16% 2% 588
Table 4: How does your household usually dispose of GARDEN WASTE (e.g. grass, plants and garden clippings)?
 % of weighted households  
 Put it in the organic (brown) bin for collection Put it in the general (residual) waste bin for collection Bring it to a recycling centre Compost it at home Other Not relevant No response Sample Households
Total37% 8% 6% 37% 7% 11% 2% 4,641
                
Nature of occupancy               
      Owner-occupied39% 6% 7% 43% 8% 5% 2% 4,013
      Rented34% 13% 3% 22% 5% 25% 4% 628
                
Number of occupants               
      1 occupant30% 8% 7% 34% 7% 18% 3% 755
      2 occupants34% 10% 8% 34% 6% 14% 2% 1,376
      3 occupants42% 6% 5% 35% 10% 8% 1% 901
      4 occupants45% 8% 5% 37% 6% 5% 2% 975
      5 or more occupants36% 7% 3% 46% 7% 3% 4% 634
                
Number of children               
      1 person under 1844% 9% 7% 33% 7% 7% 1% 651
      2 persons under 1845% 10% 3% 38% 6% 5% 1% 706
      3 or more persons under 1839% 7% 4% 45% 7% 4% 4% 334
                
Dwelling type               
      Detached house22% 5% 5% 61% 11% 2% 2% 1,854
      Semi-detached house58% 8% 8% 25% 6% 3% 2% 1,590
      Terraced house55% 10% 6% 24% 4% 8% 1% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block13% 19% 1% 3% 3% 57% 5% 390
      Other27% 8% 4% 19% 1% 38% 6% 94
                
Construction date               
      Before 196138% 7% 7% 45% 5% 7% 1% 891
      1961-198047% 5% 9% 34% 7% 8% 2% 865
      1981-200039% 6% 6% 39% 9% 6% 3% 1,257
      2001 or later33% 11% 4% 37% 9% 12% 1% 1,280
      Unknown construction period31% 12% 2% 19% 5% 29% 7% 348
                
Region               
      Border11% 10% 3% 54% 17% 8% 4% 257
      Dublin54% 10% 7% 17% 3% 16% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East49% 7% 7% 33% 4% 7% 1% 704
      Mid-West26% 7% 9% 43% 10% 10% 2% 372
      Midland21% 6% 4% 53% 13% 6% 4% 196
      South-East33% 6% 5% 45% 8% 8% 1% 357
      South-West29% 10% 5% 45% 5% 11% 2% 668
      West33% 6% 2% 45% 11% 9% 2% 362
                
Urban/Rural               
      Rural areas10% 5% 4% 69% 14% 2% 1% 1,078
      Urban areas52% 9% 7% 22% 4% 12% 3% 2,984
      Not known24% 11% 5% 37% 7% 21% 2% 579
                
Age group of respondent               
      18-34 years34% 11% 3% 25% 5% 23% 5% 586
      35-44 years40% 11% 3% 33% 7% 13% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years39% 8% 6% 40% 7% 6% 2% 1,177
      55-64 years38% 5% 7% 42% 9% 6% 2% 979
      65 years or over35% 7% 11% 42% 9% 6% 2% 864
                
Sex of respondent               
      Male36% 8% 6% 36% 7% 12% 2% 2,194
      Female39% 8% 5% 37% 8% 9% 3% 2,447
                
Working status of respondent               
      Working for payment or profit38% 8% 5% 37% 7% 11% 2% 2,939
      Retired from employment37% 6% 10% 42% 8% 5% 2% 881
      Looking after home or family33% 10% 6% 38% 11% 3% 7% 233
      Other35% 11% 5% 28% 7% 17% 3% 588
Table 5: Does your household experience any of the following noise pollution sufficient to cause irritation?
 % of weighted households  
 Road traffic Trains Airplanes Hospitality sector Dogs Neighbouring houses Industrial None of the above No response Sample Households
Total25% 3% 5% 2% 19% 19% 4% 54% 2% 4,641
                    
Nature of occupancy                   
      Owner-occupied21% 2% 5% 1% 19% 14% 3% 58% 2% 4,013
      Rented34% 6% 6% 3% 22% 30% 6% 44% 1% 628
                    
Number of occupants                   
      1 occupant27% 2% 3% 3% 17% 17% 3% 54% 2% 755
      2 occupants26% 4% 6% 2% 18% 22% 4% 52% 2% 1,376
      3 occupants27% 2% 5% 2% 21% 18% 4% 54% 2% 901
      4 occupants21% 2% 5% 1% 23% 19% 3% 55% 2% 975
      5 or more occupants22% 3% 6% 1% 19% 15% 4% 57% 2% 634
                    
Number of children                   
      1 person under 1826% 2% 6% 2% 26% 22% 4% 49% 2% 651
      2 persons under 1827% 3% 6% 2% 19% 19% 3% 54% 1% 706
      3 or more persons under 1819% 2% 4% 1% 18% 14% 3% 58% 4% 334
                    
Dwelling type                   
      Detached house18% 1% 4% 1% 15% 6% 2% 65% 2% 1,854
      Semi-detached house22% 3% 6% 1% 25% 25% 3% 50% 2% 1,590
      Terraced house31% 4% 7% 4% 27% 25% 5% 44% 3% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block41% 7% 5% 4% 11% 38% 8% 43% 0% 390
      Other50% 4% 3% 7% 14% 26% 7% 44% 0% 94
                    
Construction date                   
      Before 196133% 3% 5% 4% 18% 16% 3% 54% 2% 891
      1961-198022% 2% 5% 1% 17% 17% 3% 54% 2% 865
      1981-200021% 3% 6% 1% 20% 17% 4% 56% 2% 1,257
      2001 or later21% 3% 5% 1% 23% 20% 3% 55% 1% 1,280
      Unknown construction period34% 5% 3% 4% 15% 26% 6% 48% 2% 348
                    
Region                   
      Border19% 0% 1% 2% 18% 12% 3% 61% 2% 257
      Dublin30% 5% 11% 3% 18% 24% 4% 47% 2% 1,725
      Mid-East24% 4% 5% 0% 23% 21% 3% 52% 1% 704
      Mid-West20% 2% 3% 2% 22% 24% 4% 54% 2% 372
      Midland20% 1% 2% 1% 18% 12% 2% 63% 2% 196
      South-East23% 0% 0% 3% 24% 14% 3% 55% 2% 357
      South-West26% 2% 5% 1% 19% 17% 5% 57% 2% 668
      West22% 2% 1% 1% 13% 14% 2% 61% 1% 362
                    
Urban/Rural                   
      Rural areas15% 1% 3% 0% 15% 7% 2% 67% 2% 1,078
      Urban areas28% 4% 6% 2% 23% 23% 4% 49% 2% 2,984
      Not known30% 3% 3% 3% 14% 22% 3% 53% 1% 579
                    
Age group of respondent                   
      18-34 years38% 5% 7% 4% 24% 28% 6% 46% 1% 586
      35-44 years28% 4% 5% 2% 21% 26% 4% 46% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years24% 3% 6% 1% 18% 19% 4% 54% 1% 1,177
      55-64 years18% 1% 4% 1% 19% 13% 2% 61% 1% 979
      65 years or over16% 1% 3% 1% 15% 7% 1% 66% 2% 864
                    
Sex of respondent                   
      Male24% 3% 4% 1% 18% 17% 3% 57% 2% 2,194
      Female25% 3% 5% 2% 21% 20% 4% 52% 2% 2,447
                    
Working status of respondent                   
      Working for payment or profit25% 3% 5% 2% 20% 20% 4% 54% 2% 2,939
      Retired from employment17% 2% 3% 2% 16% 8% 2% 64% 2% 881
      Looking after home or family22% 1% 4% 1% 19% 14% 2% 57% 1% 233
      Other32% 4% 6% 3% 23% 29% 5% 45% 1% 588
Table 6A: Has your home been tested for radon?
 % of weighted households  
 Yes No Don’t know No response Sample Households
Total12% 51% 37% 0% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied11% 62% 26% 0% 4,013
      Rented12% 24% 64% 0% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant12% 51% 36% 0% 755
      2 occupants12% 48% 39% 0% 1,376
      3 occupants11% 52% 38% 0% 901
      4 occupants11% 52% 38% 0% 975
      5 or more occupants13% 56% 32% 0% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 1811% 47% 41% 0% 651
      2 persons under 1810% 51% 39% 0% 706
      3 or more persons under 1812% 57% 31% 0% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house16% 58% 25% 0% 1,854
      Semi-detached house10% 54% 35% 0% 1,590
      Terraced house10% 47% 43% 0% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block3% 29% 68% 0% 390
      Other9% 22% 69% 0% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 196112% 58% 29% 0% 891
      1961-198013% 62% 25% 0% 865
      1981-200012% 56% 32% 0% 1,257
      2001 or later13% 47% 41% 0% 1,280
      Unknown construction period5% 23% 71% 0% 348
          
Region         
      Border14% 54% 33% 0% 257
      Dublin5% 53% 43% 0% 1,725
      Mid-East9% 53% 38% 0% 704
      Mid-West11% 50% 40% 0% 372
      Midland6% 56% 38% 0% 196
      South-East23% 48% 29% 0% 357
      South-West17% 46% 38% 0% 668
      West21% 52% 27% 0% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas18% 56% 26% 0% 1,078
      Urban areas9% 52% 39% 0% 2,984
      Not known10% 41% 49% 0% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years5% 26% 69% 0% 586
      35-44 years7% 46% 47% 0% 1,035
      45-54 years13% 56% 31% 0% 1,177
      55-64 years16% 60% 24% 0% 979
      65 years or over17% 65% 18% 0% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male12% 55% 33% 0% 2,194
      Female12% 48% 40% 0% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit11% 51% 38% 0% 2,939
      Retired from employment16% 65% 19% 0% 881
      Looking after home or family14% 43% 44% 0% 233
      Other10% 39% 51% 0% 588
Table 6B: Were the radon levels above the reference level of 200 Bq/m3?
 % of weighted households  
 Yes No Don’t know No response Sample Households
Total1% 7% 4% 88% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied1% 8% 3% 89% 4,013
      Rented0% 5% 7% 88% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant0% 6% 6% 88% 755
      2 occupants1% 7% 4% 88% 1,376
      3 occupants0% 7% 3% 90% 901
      4 occupants1% 6% 4% 89% 975
      5 or more occupants1% 7% 4% 87% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 180% 7% 4% 89% 651
      2 persons under 180% 5% 4% 90% 706
      3 or more persons under 182% 8% 3% 88% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house1% 10% 5% 84% 1,854
      Semi-detached house1% 5% 4% 90% 1,590
      Terraced house0% 6% 4% 91% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block0% 1% 3% 97% 390
      Other0% 4% 6% 91% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19610% 8% 4% 88% 891
      1961-19801% 9% 3% 87% 865
      1981-20001% 7% 4% 88% 1,257
      2001 or later0% 7% 5% 87% 1,280
      Unknown construction period0% 2% 4% 95% 348
          
Region         
      Border1% 7% 6% 86% 257
      Dublin0% 2% 2% 95% 1,725
      Mid-East0% 5% 3% 91% 704
      Mid-West0% 7% 3% 89% 372
      Midland0% 3% 3% 94% 196
      South-East2% 14% 7% 77% 357
      South-West1% 10% 5% 84% 668
      West2% 12% 7% 79% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas1% 11% 6% 82% 1,078
      Urban areas0% 5% 3% 91% 2,984
      Not known0% 6% 3% 90% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years1% 3% 2% 95% 586
      35-44 years0% 5% 2% 93% 1,035
      45-54 years1% 6% 6% 87% 1,177
      55-64 years1% 10% 5% 84% 979
      65 years or over1% 11% 5% 84% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male1% 7% 4% 88% 2,194
      Female1% 6% 5% 89% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit1% 7% 4% 89% 2,939
      Retired from employment1% 10% 5% 84% 881
      Looking after home or family0% 8% 5% 87% 233
      Other1% 3% 5% 90% 588
Table 6C: Was any work done to reduce your radon exposure?
 % of weighted households  
 Yes No Don’t know No response Sample Households
Total0% 0% 0% 99% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied0% 0% 0% 99% 4,013
      Rented0% 0% 0% 100% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant0% 0% 0% 100% 755
      2 occupants0% 0% 0% 99% 1,376
      3 occupants0% 0% 0% 100% 901
      4 occupants0% 0% 0% 99% 975
      5 or more occupants0% 1% 0% 99% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 180% 0% 0% 100% 651
      2 persons under 180% 0% 0% 100% 706
      3 or more persons under 181% 1% 0% 98% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house1% 0% 0% 99% 1,854
      Semi-detached house0% 0% 0% 99% 1,590
      Terraced house0% 0% 0% 100% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block0% 0% 0% 100% 390
      Other0% 0% 0% 100% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19610% 0% 0% 100% 891
      1961-19801% 0% 0% 99% 865
      1981-20000% 1% 0% 99% 1,257
      2001 or later0% 0% 0% 100% 1,280
      Unknown construction period0% 0% 0% 100% 348
          
Region         
      Border0% 1% 0% 99% 257
      Dublin0% 0% 0% 100% 1,725
      Mid-East0% 0% 0% 100% 704
      Mid-West0% 0% 0% 100% 372
      Midland0% 0% 0% 100% 196
      South-East1% 0% 0% 98% 357
      South-West0% 1% 0% 99% 668
      West0% 1% 0% 98% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas0% 0% 0% 99% 1,078
      Urban areas0% 0% 0% 100% 2,984
      Not known0% 0% 0% 100% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years0% 0% 0% 99% 586
      35-44 years0% 0% 0% 100% 1,035
      45-54 years0% 1% 0% 99% 1,177
      55-64 years1% 1% 0% 99% 979
      65 years or over1% 0% 0% 99% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male0% 0% 0% 99% 2,194
      Female0% 0% 0% 99% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit0% 0% 0% 99% 2,939
      Retired from employment0% 0% 0% 99% 881
      Looking after home or family0% 0% 0% 100% 233
      Other0% 1% 0% 99% 588
Table 7: Does your household receive or buy used clothes, electronic equipment, or used furniture?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Used clothes or textiles         
      Charity or second-hand shop8% 36% 55% 1% 4,641
      Online platform8% 20% 69% 4% 4,641
      Private gifts, donations or swaps5% 27% 65% 3% 4,641
          
Used electrical or electronic equipment         
      Charity or second-hand shop1% 15% 82% 2% 4,641
      Online platform4% 28% 66% 2% 4,641
      Private gifts, donations or swaps1% 24% 72% 3% 4,641
         
Used furniture         
      Charity or second-hand shop2% 31% 64% 2% 4,641
      Online platform2% 23% 73% 3% 4,641
      Private gifts, donations or swaps1% 27% 69% 3% 4,641
Table 8A: Does your household receive or buy used clothes or textiles in charity or second-hand shops?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Total8% 36% 55% 1% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied7% 33% 60% 1% 4,013
      Rented11% 43% 43% 3% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant7% 31% 61% 1% 755
      2 occupants7% 36% 55% 2% 1,376
      3 occupants9% 37% 52% 1% 901
      4 occupants8% 38% 52% 2% 975
      5 or more occupants8% 36% 55% 1% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 1810% 39% 50% 1% 651
      2 persons under 189% 36% 53% 2% 706
      3 or more persons under 187% 36% 56% 1% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house7% 34% 58% 1% 1,854
      Semi-detached house8% 36% 54% 1% 1,590
      Terraced house10% 39% 51% 1% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block8% 33% 56% 3% 390
      Other10% 49% 38% 3% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 196111% 40% 48% 1% 891
      1961-19808% 34% 57% 1% 865
      1981-20006% 33% 60% 1% 1,257
      2001 or later7% 34% 57% 1% 1,280
      Unknown construction period9% 43% 44% 4% 348
          
Region         
      Border10% 37% 51% 2% 257
      Dublin8% 34% 56% 2% 1,725
      Mid-East9% 37% 53% 1% 704
      Mid-West5% 35% 59% 1% 372
      Midland6% 39% 53% 2% 196
      South-East10% 39% 49% 1% 357
      South-West9% 31% 59% 2% 668
      West6% 40% 52% 2% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas8% 39% 52% 1% 1,078
      Urban areas7% 34% 57% 1% 2,984
      Not known10% 36% 51% 3% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years10% 41% 46% 2% 586
      35-44 years8% 35% 55% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years8% 37% 54% 1% 1,177
      55-64 years9% 36% 54% 1% 979
      65 years or over5% 29% 64% 2% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male5% 28% 65% 2% 2,194
      Female11% 42% 46% 1% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit8% 36% 56% 1% 2,939
      Retired from employment4% 30% 64% 2% 881
      Looking after home or family9% 43% 46% 2% 233
      Other13% 40% 45% 3% 588
Table 8B: Does your household receive or buy used clothes or textiles through an online platform?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Total8% 20% 69% 4% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied7% 18% 72% 3% 4,013
      Rented9% 24% 60% 6% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant4% 13% 80% 3% 755
      2 occupants5% 21% 70% 4% 1,376
      3 occupants8% 24% 64% 4% 901
      4 occupants11% 20% 65% 4% 975
      5 or more occupants12% 22% 63% 3% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 1810% 23% 63% 4% 651
      2 persons under 189% 22% 66% 3% 706
      3 or more persons under 1814% 20% 62% 4% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house8% 18% 71% 3% 1,854
      Semi-detached house7% 19% 71% 3% 1,590
      Terraced house11% 22% 62% 5% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block7% 25% 64% 4% 390
      Other10% 28% 54% 8% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19619% 20% 66% 5% 891
      1961-19807% 19% 71% 3% 865
      1981-20007% 18% 71% 3% 1,257
      2001 or later9% 21% 68% 3% 1,280
      Unknown construction period8% 23% 63% 6% 348
          
Region         
      Border6% 20% 70% 4% 257
      Dublin8% 19% 69% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East7% 21% 69% 3% 704
      Mid-West7% 22% 68% 3% 372
      Midland5% 20% 67% 8% 196
      South-East7% 22% 67% 3% 357
      South-West9% 19% 69% 4% 668
      West10% 19% 67% 4% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas8% 19% 70% 3% 1,078
      Urban areas8% 20% 68% 4% 2,984
      Not known7% 23% 67% 4% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years16% 27% 52% 5% 586
      35-44 years8% 23% 65% 3% 1,035
      45-54 years8% 19% 70% 3% 1,177
      55-64 years5% 17% 74% 3% 979
      65 years or over2% 12% 82% 4% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male8% 17% 72% 3% 2,194
      Female8% 22% 66% 4% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit9% 21% 67% 3% 2,939
      Retired from employment2% 12% 82% 4% 881
      Looking after home or family6% 21% 66% 6% 233
      Other10% 23% 62% 5% 588
Table 8C: Does your household receive or buy used clothes or textiles in the form of private gifts, donations or swaps?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Total5% 27% 65% 3% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied5% 26% 67% 3% 4,013
      Rented5% 31% 59% 4% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant2% 22% 73% 3% 755
      2 occupants2% 25% 70% 3% 1,376
      3 occupants5% 28% 64% 3% 901
      4 occupants8% 33% 56% 3% 975
      5 or more occupants11% 28% 56% 4% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 187% 30% 61% 2% 651
      2 persons under 1811% 36% 51% 2% 706
      3 or more persons under 1814% 29% 51% 5% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house5% 27% 66% 2% 1,854
      Semi-detached house5% 27% 64% 3% 1,590
      Terraced house5% 26% 67% 2% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block2% 31% 62% 4% 390
      Other6% 28% 61% 5% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19615% 29% 64% 2% 891
      1961-19804% 27% 66% 3% 865
      1981-20004% 26% 67% 3% 1,257
      2001 or later6% 28% 63% 3% 1,280
      Unknown construction period6% 27% 61% 6% 348
          
Region         
      Border5% 30% 64% 1% 257
      Dublin4% 27% 65% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East5% 25% 66% 4% 704
      Mid-West4% 27% 67% 2% 372
      Midland4% 25% 64% 7% 196
      South-East6% 25% 65% 3% 357
      South-West7% 30% 61% 3% 668
      West5% 27% 64% 4% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas7% 29% 62% 3% 1,078
      Urban areas5% 25% 67% 3% 2,984
      Not known4% 35% 59% 2% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years6% 30% 58% 6% 586
      35-44 years9% 32% 57% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years5% 30% 63% 2% 1,177
      55-64 years3% 26% 68% 2% 979
      65 years or over1% 15% 81% 4% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male2% 21% 74% 3% 2,194
      Female7% 33% 57% 3% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit6% 30% 63% 2% 2,939
      Retired from employment1% 18% 78% 3% 881
      Looking after home or family10% 26% 60% 5% 233
      Other6% 28% 61% 5% 588
Table 9A: Does your household receive or buy used electrical or electronic equipment (e.g. phones, laptops, TVs, kitchen appliances) in charity or second-hand shops?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Total1% 15% 82% 2% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied1% 12% 86% 1% 4,013
      Rented3% 23% 71% 3% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant3% 10% 86% 1% 755
      2 occupants1% 15% 82% 2% 1,376
      3 occupants1% 17% 80% 2% 901
      4 occupants1% 16% 80% 2% 975
      5 or more occupants1% 19% 79% 1% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 182% 20% 76% 2% 651
      2 persons under 181% 19% 78% 2% 706
      3 or more persons under 180% 16% 82% 1% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house1% 13% 85% 1% 1,854
      Semi-detached house1% 15% 82% 2% 1,590
      Terraced house1% 16% 81% 2% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block2% 21% 74% 2% 390
      Other4% 21% 70% 5% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19612% 14% 83% 2% 891
      1961-19801% 11% 86% 2% 865
      1981-20002% 12% 84% 2% 1,257
      2001 or later0% 17% 81% 1% 1,280
      Unknown construction period2% 27% 68% 3% 348
          
Region         
      Border1% 16% 82% 1% 257
      Dublin2% 14% 82% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East1% 13% 85% 1% 704
      Mid-West1% 15% 82% 1% 372
      Midland0% 22% 77% 2% 196
      South-East2% 17% 80% 1% 357
      South-West2% 15% 81% 2% 668
      West1% 17% 80% 2% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas1% 16% 82% 1% 1,078
      Urban areas1% 15% 82% 2% 2,984
      Not known2% 17% 80% 1% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years3% 24% 70% 3% 586
      35-44 years1% 18% 80% 1% 1,035
      45-54 years1% 16% 81% 2% 1,177
      55-64 years1% 11% 87% 1% 979
      65 years or over1% 8% 90% 2% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male1% 15% 82% 2% 2,194
      Female1% 16% 81% 2% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit1% 16% 81% 2% 2,939
      Retired from employment1% 7% 91% 2% 881
      Looking after home or family0% 15% 84% 1% 233
      Other3% 22% 73% 2% 588
Table 9B: Does your household receive or buy used electrical or electronic equipment (e.g. phones, laptops, TVs, kitchen appliances) through an online platform?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Total4% 28% 66% 2% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied3% 26% 69% 2% 4,013
      Rented5% 35% 56% 4% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant2% 20% 74% 3% 755
      2 occupants3% 27% 68% 2% 1,376
      3 occupants5% 28% 64% 3% 901
      4 occupants4% 33% 61% 2% 975
      5 or more occupants6% 36% 57% 1% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 185% 35% 59% 1% 651
      2 persons under 184% 30% 63% 3% 706
      3 or more persons under 187% 37% 54% 1% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house4% 25% 69% 2% 1,854
      Semi-detached house3% 28% 66% 2% 1,590
      Terraced house3% 30% 66% 1% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block5% 35% 55% 4% 390
      Other2% 42% 51% 5% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19614% 29% 66% 1% 891
      1961-19802% 27% 69% 2% 865
      1981-20003% 25% 70% 2% 1,257
      2001 or later4% 31% 62% 3% 1,280
      Unknown construction period5% 32% 57% 6% 348
          
Region         
      Border6% 24% 69% 1% 257
      Dublin3% 27% 67% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East4% 26% 68% 2% 704
      Mid-West3% 36% 60% 2% 372
      Midland2% 32% 61% 5% 196
      South-East4% 30% 65% 1% 357
      South-West3% 28% 66% 3% 668
      West6% 27% 64% 3% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas4% 27% 67% 2% 1,078
      Urban areas4% 27% 66% 3% 2,984
      Not known4% 34% 61% 1% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years7% 39% 50% 4% 586
      35-44 years4% 34% 60% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years4% 32% 62% 2% 1,177
      55-64 years2% 22% 74% 3% 979
      65 years or over1% 13% 84% 2% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male4% 28% 65% 3% 2,194
      Female3% 29% 66% 2% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit4% 31% 62% 2% 2,939
      Retired from employment1% 13% 84% 2% 881
      Looking after home or family1% 33% 62% 4% 233
      Other4% 33% 60% 3% 588
Table 9C: Does your household receive or buy used electrical or electronic equipment (e.g. phones, laptops, TVs, kitchen appliances) in the form of private gifts, donations or swaps?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Total1% 24% 72% 3% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied1% 21% 76% 2% 4,013
      Rented1% 30% 64% 4% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant1% 22% 75% 3% 755
      2 occupants1% 23% 73% 3% 1,376
      3 occupants1% 22% 73% 3% 901
      4 occupants1% 25% 70% 3% 975
      5 or more occupants1% 28% 69% 2% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 181% 26% 70% 4% 651
      2 persons under 182% 30% 65% 3% 706
      3 or more persons under 181% 27% 71% 1% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house1% 21% 75% 3% 1,854
      Semi-detached house1% 26% 71% 2% 1,590
      Terraced house1% 26% 71% 2% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block2% 21% 72% 5% 390
      Other3% 31% 61% 5% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19611% 26% 69% 3% 891
      1961-19801% 23% 74% 2% 865
      1981-20001% 21% 76% 2% 1,257
      2001 or later1% 23% 73% 3% 1,280
      Unknown construction period1% 29% 63% 6% 348
          
Region         
      Border1% 23% 75% 1% 257
      Dublin1% 24% 72% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East1% 22% 74% 2% 704
      Mid-West0% 23% 72% 4% 372
      Midland1% 29% 65% 5% 196
      South-East2% 23% 71% 4% 357
      South-West1% 26% 71% 3% 668
      West2% 21% 75% 3% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas1% 23% 73% 2% 1,078
      Urban areas1% 23% 73% 4% 2,984
      Not known2% 28% 69% 1% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years3% 30% 60% 6% 586
      35-44 years1% 27% 70% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years1% 26% 70% 2% 1,177
      55-64 years1% 20% 77% 2% 979
      65 years or over0% 13% 84% 3% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male1% 19% 77% 3% 2,194
      Female1% 28% 68% 3% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit1% 26% 70% 3% 2,939
      Retired from employment0% 14% 84% 2% 881
      Looking after home or family0% 25% 71% 4% 233
      Other1% 25% 69% 4% 588
Table 10A: Does your household receive or buy used furniture in charity or second-hand shops?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Total2% 31% 64% 2% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied2% 27% 70% 1% 4,013
      Rented4% 40% 52% 4% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant3% 32% 63% 2% 755
      2 occupants2% 33% 62% 2% 1,376
      3 occupants3% 30% 66% 2% 901
      4 occupants2% 29% 67% 2% 975
      5 or more occupants2% 31% 66% 1% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 184% 30% 65% 1% 651
      2 persons under 182% 29% 67% 2% 706
      3 or more persons under 182% 31% 65% 2% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house2% 31% 65% 2% 1,854
      Semi-detached house3% 29% 67% 1% 1,590
      Terraced house3% 32% 63% 2% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block3% 33% 59% 5% 390
      Other5% 38% 49% 9% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19614% 38% 57% 1% 891
      1961-19803% 29% 67% 1% 865
      1981-20001% 29% 68% 1% 1,257
      2001 or later2% 29% 68% 1% 1,280
      Unknown construction period3% 35% 54% 8% 348
          
Region         
      Border2% 32% 64% 1% 257
      Dublin2% 26% 70% 2% 1,725
      Mid-East3% 30% 65% 3% 704
      Mid-West1% 35% 62% 2% 372
      Midland1% 38% 58% 2% 196
      South-East3% 32% 63% 2% 357
      South-West3% 33% 63% 2% 668
      West3% 36% 58% 4% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas2% 34% 63% 1% 1,078
      Urban areas2% 29% 67% 2% 2,984
      Not known5% 35% 57% 3% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years4% 36% 56% 4% 586
      35-44 years4% 32% 62% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years2% 31% 65% 2% 1,177
      55-64 years2% 32% 65% 1% 979
      65 years or over1% 24% 74% 2% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male1% 24% 73% 2% 2,194
      Female3% 37% 58% 2% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit2% 30% 66% 2% 2,939
      Retired from employment1% 25% 73% 1% 881
      Looking after home or family3% 40% 55% 2% 233
      Other4% 38% 54% 4% 588
Table 10B: Does your household receive or buy used furniture through an online platform?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Total2% 23% 73% 3% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied1% 20% 77% 2% 4,013
      Rented2% 32% 62% 4% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant2% 15% 80% 4% 755
      2 occupants1% 21% 75% 3% 1,376
      3 occupants1% 24% 71% 3% 901
      4 occupants1% 29% 67% 3% 975
      5 or more occupants3% 29% 67% 1% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 182% 29% 67% 3% 651
      2 persons under 182% 32% 63% 2% 706
      3 or more persons under 183% 32% 64% 1% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house1% 20% 76% 2% 1,854
      Semi-detached house2% 24% 72% 2% 1,590
      Terraced house2% 24% 71% 3% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block2% 28% 65% 5% 390
      Other2% 29% 62% 7% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19613% 24% 71% 2% 891
      1961-19801% 22% 75% 2% 865
      1981-20001% 22% 76% 2% 1,257
      2001 or later2% 24% 72% 3% 1,280
      Unknown construction period1% 27% 65% 7% 348
          
Region         
      Border1% 24% 74% 2% 257
      Dublin2% 24% 71% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East2% 25% 70% 3% 704
      Mid-West1% 24% 72% 3% 372
      Midland1% 27% 70% 3% 196
      South-East2% 22% 75% 2% 357
      South-West2% 21% 75% 2% 668
      West1% 19% 75% 4% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas1% 19% 78% 2% 1,078
      Urban areas1% 23% 72% 3% 2,984
      Not known2% 29% 65% 4% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years3% 36% 56% 5% 586
      35-44 years2% 31% 64% 3% 1,035
      45-54 years2% 25% 71% 3% 1,177
      55-64 years0% 15% 82% 2% 979
      65 years or over0% 7% 91% 1% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male1% 18% 78% 3% 2,194
      Female2% 28% 68% 3% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit2% 26% 70% 2% 2,939
      Retired from employment0% 7% 91% 2% 881
      Looking after home or family2% 27% 70% 2% 233
      Other1% 29% 64% 5% 588
Table 10C: Does your household receive or buy used furniture in the form of private gifts, donations or swaps?
 % of weighted households  
 Often Sometimes Never No response Sample Households
Total1% 27% 69% 3% 4,641
          
Nature of occupancy         
      Owner-occupied1% 23% 73% 2% 4,013
      Rented1% 36% 59% 4% 628
          
Number of occupants         
      1 occupant1% 26% 70% 3% 755
      2 occupants1% 24% 72% 3% 1,376
      3 occupants1% 30% 67% 3% 901
      4 occupants2% 30% 66% 2% 975
      5 or more occupants1% 27% 68% 4% 634
          
Number of children         
      1 person under 182% 30% 66% 3% 651
      2 persons under 182% 33% 63% 2% 706
      3 or more persons under 181% 33% 64% 2% 334
          
Dwelling type         
      Detached house1% 25% 72% 3% 1,854
      Semi-detached house1% 29% 68% 2% 1,590
      Terraced house1% 30% 67% 2% 713
      Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block1% 26% 69% 4% 390
      Other3% 29% 59% 9% 94
          
Construction date         
      Before 19612% 32% 64% 2% 891
      1961-19802% 22% 74% 2% 865
      1981-20001% 25% 72% 2% 1,257
      2001 or later1% 29% 68% 3% 1,280
      Unknown construction period2% 27% 65% 6% 348
          
Region         
      Border2% 22% 74% 2% 257
      Dublin1% 27% 69% 3% 1,725
      Mid-East1% 29% 68% 2% 704
      Mid-West1% 25% 71% 3% 372
      Midland0% 33% 62% 5% 196
      South-East2% 26% 68% 3% 357
      South-West1% 26% 70% 3% 668
      West1% 30% 67% 3% 362
          
Urban/Rural         
      Rural areas1% 26% 70% 3% 1,078
      Urban areas1% 27% 69% 3% 2,984
      Not known2% 30% 66% 3% 579
          
Age group of respondent         
      18-34 years3% 32% 61% 5% 586
      35-44 years2% 31% 65% 2% 1,035
      45-54 years1% 29% 69% 2% 1,177
      55-64 years0% 26% 72% 2% 979
      65 years or over0% 16% 81% 3% 864
          
Sex of respondent         
      Male1% 19% 78% 3% 2,194
      Female2% 34% 62% 2% 2,447
          
Working status of respondent         
      Working for payment or profit1% 30% 67% 2% 2,939
      Retired from employment0% 18% 79% 2% 881
      Looking after home or family1% 30% 67% 1% 233
      Other2% 25% 68% 5% 588

Background Notes

Purpose of Survey

The data were collected as part of the CSO General Household Survey (GHS). The GHS is a national survey that takes place three or four times each year and is part of an EU-wide programme. Each survey usually has a specific theme: for example in Quarter 3, 2021 the modules were "Personal and Work-Life Balance" and "Environment". The purpose of the Environment module was to collect information on household environmental behaviours.

Reference Period

The survey was planned for Quarter 3, 2021. A slight delay arose; therefore data were collected during the three months from August to October 2021.

Link to Questionnaire

A copy of the questionnaire is available at: Household Environmental Behaviours

Questionnaire

The questionnaire consisted of a short series of questions on household socio-demographic characteristics and on four topics relating to the environment: opinions on environmental issues; visits to nature areas; waste management and recycling; and energy use. The CSO formed a project group consisting of representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the CSO Environment and Climate Division and the CSO Ecosystem Accounts Division to develop the questionnaire so that it would meet statistical and policy needs.

In Quarter 2 of 2014 the CSO collected data on household environment behaviours as part of the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). The QNHS Environment module questionnaire contained questions on household waste and recycling and on energy use by households. A number of questions from the 2014 survey were repeated in this questionnaire. In addition, new questions on waste and recycling and on energy use were incorporated into the questionnaire, while two new sections, Household Environmental Concerns and Household Visits to Nature Areas, were also added.

Data Collection

The GHS Environment module was an online survey of households. Households that were selected in the sample received a letter in the post providing a link to the survey and a QR code along with an access code.

Sample Design

The sample was selected from the Household Sampling Frame, also known as the Ordinarily Resident Frame (ORF). The ORF dataset is produced by combining Local Property Tax (LPT) owner-occupied property data with Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) tenant-occupied property data.

The sample was selected using a Stratified Simple Random Sample, stratified by county and type of occupancy. Type of occupancy consisted of three groups: LPT owner-occupied properties, LPT local authority rental properties, and RTB private rental properties. A sample of 25,000 was selected.

In advance of finalising the sample, a data matching exercise was undertaken to enhance the Eircode coverage in the ORF. This was done in order to aid delivery of letters to correct households, thus potentially increasing response rates and enabling an improved match to Census of Population data to acquire household composition variables.

The data matching exercise was carried out on 30,000 households. Addresses were matched to the GeoDirectory, Census of Population and the Local Property Tax datasets. Eircode coverage was enhanced to 23,435 cases. The remaining 1,565 sample was randomly selected from 6,565 unmatched Eircode records, bringing the total sample to 25,000.

Estimated Number of Households

In order to account for unoccupied properties, households were weighted by county and type of tenure to the population totals recorded in the 2016 Census of Population. The total number of households was 1.7 million households. The population of households was defined as occupied private households on Census night 2016.

Dataset

The module results are based on responses from 4,641 households. These households were weighted by county and type of occupancy (owner-occupied and rented) to represent all occupied households in the State. The data were matched to the Census of Population dataset in order to add certain Census variables such as whether the household is in an urban or a rural area.

Sampling and non-Sampling Error

Sample

A stratified random sample was selected from the Ordinarily Resident Frame. The original sample size was 30,000 in order to enhance Eircode coverage and hence matching to Census of Population data. All records with Eircode coverage were then selected to be part of the final sample of 25,000. As a result the final sample was not perfectly random; however the benefits in terms of improving receipt of letters by the correct households and hence response rates were considered to justify the approach.

Coverage

The ORF is updated annually with LPT data and quarterly with RTB data. The most recent update at the time of the Environment module was Quarter 4, 2020. The LPT data source identifies properties which are principal private residences of tax-resident persons. It is also possible to identify Local Authority (L.A.)-owned rental properties from the LPT. All privately-owned and Approved Housing Board-owned and rental properties are required to be registered with the RTB. Combining the LPT (taking the owner-occupied properties of tax-resident persons, plus the L.A. rental properties) and the RTB (for private rental properties and AHB rental properties) is considered to make a satisfactory household survey sampling frame.

Measurement

The questionnaire repeated a number of questions which had been included in the QHNS Environment module of Quarter 2 of 2014. The majority of the remaining questions were derived from Eurobarometer questionnaires and from the People and Nature Survey (PANS) questionnaire used in England to gather data on people’s enjoyment, access, understanding of and attitudes to the natural environment.

All questions were assessed for suitability in an Irish context and for an online survey which was to be completed on a device such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet. Each section of the questionnaire was discussed and reviewed by the relevant members of the project group.

Response

The usable response rate for the survey was 18.6%. Three reminders were issued to households in order to increase the response rate. The time taken to fill the questionnaire was kept to approximately ten minutes in order to reduce non-response.

Each table in this release contains figures showing the number of respondent households. The number of households in the population, based on the 2016 Census, was 1,666,266.

While most respondents provided responses to all questions in the questionnaire, some respondents did not answer all questions. The release tables include proportions of non-respondents to specific questions where relevant.

Individual Reference Person

From respondent households who were requested to participate in the module, one person volunteered to respond on behalf of the entire household. Due to the voluntary nature of the household respondent, individual characteristics may not be representative of the population as a whole when compared to a sample survey with a random selection of a respondent.

Rounding and Zeros in the Detailed Tables

The row percentages in the tables in this report may not add to 100% due to rounding. Cells containing zero percent include cases where the percentage of respondents in that category was less than 0.5% as well as cases where there was no respondent in that category.

Classification Variables

The Environment module questionnaire included a section on sociodemographic characteristics of the household and the individual respondent. In addition information on type of occupancy was available from the ORF. Finally, a Census variable classifying households by whether they are located in rural or urban areas was added to the dataset. This variable was missing for a significant proportion of households due to the incomplete match between the ORF and the Census. The classification variables are outlined below.

Type of Tenure

This classification was available from the ORF. Households were classified as Owner-occupied or Rented.

Number of Occupants

Respondents were asked: Including you, how many people live in this household?

Number of Children

Respondents were asked: How many children under 18 live in this household?

Dwelling Type

Respondents were asked: What type of accommodation does your household live in? The type of dwelling the respondents lived in were categorised as follows:

  • Detached house
  • Semi-detached house
  • Terraced house
  • Flat or apartment in a purpose-built block
  • Other

Construction Date

Respondents were asked: When was your house, flat or apartment built? The responses were classified to the following categories:

  • Before 1961
  • 1961-1980
  • 1981-2000
  • 2001 or later
  • Unknown construction period

NUTS 3 Regions

The regional classification used in this release is based on the NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units) classification used by Eurostat. The composition of the regions is set out below.

  • Border (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo)
  • Dublin (Dublin)
  • Mid-East (Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth)
  • Mid-West (Clare, Limerick, Tipperary)
  • Midland (Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath)
  • South-East (Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford)
  • South-West (Cork, Kerry)
  • West (Galway, Mayo, Roscommon)

Urban/Rural Location

Areas are classified as Urban or Rural based on Census of Population 2016. Urban refers to settlements with a total population of 1,500 or more. Rural refers to the population outside urban areas and includes towns with a population of less than 1,500 persons.

Age

Respondents were asked: What is your age? Responses were categorised as:

  • 18-34 years
  • 35-44 years
  • 45-54 years
  • 55-64 years
  • 65 years or over

Sex

Respondents were asked: What is your sex? Responses were categorised as Female or Male.

Household Working Status

Respondents were asked: Which of the following categories best describes your current situation? Responses were categorised as:

  • Working for payment or profit
  • Retired from employment
  • Looking after home or family
  • Other

Further Queries

Please contact environment@cso.ie with any queries or requests for further analysis.

Participating Households

The Central Statistics Office wishes to thank the respondent households for their participation in the survey.

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