ATLANTA, April 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Over two-thirds of Millennials are so committed to sustainability issues they would be willing to give up social media for a week if everyone at their company recycled, according to a new study conducted by Lightspeed, a globally integrated research organization, on behalf of Rubbermaid® Commercial Products (RCP).

In 2015, Millennials officially surpassed Generation X as the largest share of the U.S. workforce[1], wielding the power to shape today's workplace practices and values. As this next generation continues to enter the job market, employers will need to take notice of what these workers are saying and adapt their sustainability strategies accordingly to attract and maintain new talent.

Nearly one in 10 Millennials would quit their jobs if they found out their current employer was not sustainable. This is particularly risky as Millennials are more likely to move from job to job than older generations. Fifty-one percent of Millennials are planning to leave their company in the next two years, compared to 37 percent of Generation X and 25 percent of Baby Boomers.

"The findings of our recycling study show a tangible commitment to sustainability is a requirement for the next generation of workers," said Anna Whitton, vice president of marketing, Rubbermaid Commercial Products. "Millennials are ready to make a difference and willing to turn down jobs that don't align with their beliefs. RCP will continue working with this emerging generation to promote waste reduction and provide superior recycling solutions in commercial environments."

RCP's new study "Recycling in the Workplace: A Millennial View", examines the latest trends transforming the workplace, focusing on the next generation of workers' attitudes towards the spaces where they work. Key findings include:


    --  Sustainability is important to this generation and is a core value they
        consider in relation to their career. Nine in 10 Millennials (age 18-34)
        say it is important they work for a sustainable company, compared to 84
        percent of Gen Xers (age 35-49) and 77 percent of Baby Boomers (age
        50-64).
    --  Millennials are empowered to inspire change in their work environment.
        Eighty-two percent of Millennials look for opportunities to help their
        company become more sustainable and 67 percent feel they have enough
        influence in their workplace to make an impact on matters such as
        sustainability.
    --  They want to do more, and believe recycling should be an obligation for
        their employer. Over 80 percent of Millennials whose employer does not
        have a recycling system in place believe employers have a responsibility
        to encourage recycling in the workplace. Seventy-seven percent of
        Millennials say they recycle at work, but 83 percent say they recycle at
        home, suggesting recycling at work is more challenging. If their office
        provided more recycling points, 62 percent of Millennials say they would
        recycle more in the workplace, compared to 55 percent of Gen Xers and 58
        percent of Baby Boomers.

About Rubbermaid Commercial Products

Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), headquartered in Huntersville, N.C., is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of food services, sanitary maintenance, waste handling, material transport, away-from-home washroom and safety products. RCP, an ISO 9001:2000 manufacturer, is part of Newell Brands' global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.

RCP is proud to support the 2017 RecycleMania Tournament, a fun and friendly national recycling competition in which college leaders engage their campus communities to waste the least and recycle the most. Last year, students and staff at 350 colleges and universities collected an estimated 79.3 million pounds of recyclables and food organics during RecycleMania! Learn more about RecycleMania at http://recyclemania.org/.

About Newell Brands

Newell Brands (NYSE: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer's®, Coleman®, Jostens®, Marmot®, Rawlings®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Waddington and Yankee Candle®. For hundreds of millions of consumers, Newell Brands makes life better every day, where they live, learn, work and play.

This press release and additional information about Newell Brands are available on the company's website, http://www.newellbrands.com.

About Lightspeed

Quality-seeking researchers, marketers and brands choose Lightspeed as their trusted global partner for digital data collection. Our innovative technology, proven sampling methodologies and operational excellence facilitate a deep understanding of consumer opinions and behavior. With 700 employees working in 14 countries, we maximize online research capabilities. We empower clients by revealing information that is beneficial, providing clarity and research data that illuminates. Headquartered in Warren, New Jersey, Lightspeed is part of Kantar, one of the world's leading data, insight and consultancy companies. For more information, visit www.lightspeedresearch.com.

[1] Pew Research Center, Millennials surpass Gen Xers as the largest generation in U.S. labor force, http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/05/11/millennials-surpass-gen-xers-as-the-largest-generation-in-u-s-labor-force/.

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SOURCE Rubbermaid Commercial Products