Leading adhesive brand Gorilla Glue has uncovered some surprising facts about people in the UK, when it comes to deciding whether to repair or replace broken items in and around the home.
Gorilla Glue commissioned the new research which reveals that over 4 in 5 people in the UK would attempt to fix a broken household item rather than replace it.
Women, it seems, are the thrifty gender when it comes to repairing over replacing. On average women spend only £128 on replacing broken items, over a 6-month period, whereas men spend on average, £208. This suggests that it is women, rather than men, who will roll their sleeves up and repair broken things in the home.
Controversially, 1 in 5 (20%) women said they would make negative assumptions about men if they couldn't fix things. While only one in ten men said, they would have the same negative feelings about women. However, nearly half of all people admire a father's ability to fix things.
Gorilla Glue Europe MD, Simon Damp, said: "Today, almost everything has its disposable version - cameras, nappies, BBQs - but are we becoming a disposable generation? It has become somewhat the norm to design products that, after a certain amount of time, are no longer functional.
"However, our research has found that on a whole we are rejecting this notion of disposable and we are embracing upcycling and good old-fashioned DIY. It is encouraging to see that most people across the UK have a 'repair rather than replace' attitude around the home."
The research findings include:
- Over 4 in 5 people (82%) in the UK would attempt to fix a broken household item rather than replace it
- Over half (53%) of all general consumers have not thrown away any broken items in the last 6 months
- Men spend more (£208) on replacing items in the home than women (£128)
- 30% of women said they would rather a male partner be able to fix things than cook
- The Welsh are leading the way, with their 'fix it' attitude, as over 9 in 10 (91%) people from Wales would attempt to fix a broken item
- People from Liverpool spend the most on replacing items, with an average spend of £294 in a 6-month period, compared to the national average of £155 spent on replacing broken items in the home
- 25-34year olds are the least keen DIYers, spending on average £245 on replacing items
- The 55+ age group spend a modest £93 on replacing items, suggesting that they are the most likely age group to repair broken items in the home
To find out more about Gorilla Glue visit www.gorillaglue.com