Understanding the 21st century

Homebase is supporting the Eden Project on a pioneering year-long study of contemporary living habits in England. The 21st Century Living Project aims to investigate and understand the key drivers of consumer behaviour with regard to domestic energy use, water consumption and waste generation.

While other studies have tended to focus primarily on one of these categories, this is the first study in the UK to combine all three elements.

In conjunction with project partners the Energy Savings Trust, WRAP and Waterwise, the project aims to understand the barriers to sustainable living amongst householders and identify techniques and solutions to overcome them. The findings and recommendations will be shared with producer groups, environmental non-governmental organisations, Government and our peers to help advance product efficiencies and create industry-wide best practice for sustainable product development.

“At the Eden Project we attract around 1.2 million visitors every year and they often ask us what actions they can personally take to make a difference, so we are working with Home Retail Group to explore some of the ways forward for 21st Century Living. It's an extremely positive project that aims to identify what works and what doesn't when it comes to greening up the household. The outcomes will fit perfectly with Eden's mission to explore our relationship with the environment and educate others so we can all enjoy a prosperous and sustainable future.”

Tim Smit, Chief Executive, The Eden Project