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Wasting Food: What Consumers Feel Worst About

Of the many things that cross consumers’ minds when they worry about the environment, nothing makes them feel worse than wasting food, according to a new survey by the Shelton Group. The company’s EcoPulse survey shows that 39% of Americans say they feel guilty about throwing out food. By comparison just 9% feel guilty about not buying energy efficient products, like CFLs or LEDs.

Other leading guilt inducers include leaving the lights on when leaving a room or wasting water (both 27%), not unplugging chargers and appliances when not in use (22%), and not recycling  (21%.) Only 7% of those in the survey, based on a little more than 1,000 adults, say they are troubled by  “not sticking to an energy-efficient thermostat setting,” while just 6% felt guilty about “using chemical lawn or plant fertilizers.”

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