More than 90 percent of Australian consumers and businesses are concerned about environmental sustainability – but only half believe they are doing their fair share to protect the planet. 

That’s the message from Hewlett Packard Australia and Planet Ark after they engaged a research team to survey more than 1000 Australian consumers and 616 Aussie business decision-makers on the subject.

Around two in three consumers and three in four businesses surveyed said they would be willing to pay more†for environmentally friendly products; while 70pc of Australians aged between 22 and 30 said they would prefer to work for a company that promotes environmentally sustainable practices.

That wish appears to slacken as we grow older, however.  Only 48 percent of Aussies aged between 46 and 53 agreed with the proposition. 

Planet Ark says there was a worrying lack of awareness about recycling e-waste. It found, for instance, that 50pc of Australian consumers and 44pc of businesses do not recycle ink or toner cartridges.