The 'Blue Planet' programme has had a massive effect on people's attitudes to plastic waste, new research has found.
But the North London Waste Authority found that most people thought they should recycle plastics more while only half as many realised it was better not to buy them in the first place.
A quarter of those questioned said they would use their own reusable water bottles more but were embarrassed about asking for a refill in a pub or cafe without buying anything.
The water authority has launched a 'Wise Up To Waste' campaign to encourage people to switch to reusable bottles.
It says an estimated 13 billion plastic bottles are used in the UK every year, with 700,000 thrown away as litter.
The Blue Planet BBC One programme by Sir David Attenborough showed how litter is polluting the world's oceans and entering the food chain.
The authority's chair Cllr Clyde Loakes said: 'We want to encourage more north London residents to ‘Wise Up To Waste’ and make the switch to reusable bottles and more businesses to support them by making it clear they are welcome to refill.'
