A large majority (96%) of Europeans believe more initiatives are needed to limit plastic waste and increase recycling, according to a new survey.

The European Commission found most citizens in the EU “think their own country is generating too much waste”, with 96% of people saying it is important that Europe uses its resources “more efficiently”.

A majority of them favour more and better waste recycling and composting facilities in their area (59%), financial incentives (59%) and more convenient separate waste collection (51%).

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: “Waste clearly touches a nerve: Europeans want to waste less and they are making efforts to practise what they preach… The appetite for more recycling is there: now we need to deliver the mechanisms to help it happen.”

A large majority (94%) also said they would support the development of an EU-level target to reduce the amount of litter entering the oceans.