Published 5/8/2023

National Survey Reveals Surprising Opinions About Recycling Plastic

Consumer expectations of product labeling and recycling outcomes are anything but straightforward.

sustainability

Matt Stonecash

Associate Editor, Plastics Technology Magazine

It is well established that recycling processes vary widely in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and other environmental impacts. Depending on these quantities and if virgin resin production is displaced, they may be more or less sustainable than traditional waste management. But according to most, the appeal of circularity for circularity’s sake is sufficient.

Evidently landfill and litter, are, in the public consciousness, the worst-case scenario for waste management. It is worth mentioning that the survey was conducted in February, before a fire at an Indiana recycling facility forced 2,000 people out of their homes. Further study could explore if such disasters favorably influence opinion concerning landfills and other traditional waste management.

In Richmond, poorly executed waste management led to open air combustion of plastic, a result far worse than landfill.

Recyclability May Have No Bearing on What Happens to a Product After Use

Another interesting result concerned the definition of recycling, with respondents favoring a very literal definition. A huge majority, 77%, strongly agreed that “if a product is labeled as recyclable, I would assume that means that it is technically capable of being recycled.” Another 18% “somewhat agreed.” Most define recyclable in accordance with a simple dictionary definition, as indicating a technological possibility rather than an available solution.

The economic and social factors that determine what actually happens to the product after use are then, according to the majority opinion, irrelevant. EPS and many other materials would certainly be considered recyclable from that perspective. Indeed it is difficult to imagine what would be considered un-recyclable, as anything can be turned into something else, given enough time, money, and energy.

The Definition of ‘Recyclable’ May Not Quite Be Settled

There is some uncertainty on this point, despite the 95% consensus. Later in the survey, respondents were asked about the variation in recycling systems across the country. So: “is it appropriate to label that item as recyclable, even if access to recycling facilities varies across the country?” Agreement dropped from 95% to 82%, which suggests some respondents assume a recyclable label implies only technological capability, but also feel this is an inappropriate labeling practice.

The final question asked about the fact that a product that should be placed in the waste bin in one place, should be placed in the recycling bin in another. What does a label of “recyclable” mean for that individual item? Most popular response: “I expect the product can be easily recycled in all areas, regardless of local systems” (33%). Another 29% chose “I expect the product can be recycled in most areas where it is sold.”

Suddenly, available infrastructure and programs for recycling seem to matter very much. The way the proportions overlap is especially interesting. A significant number must have said that it is appropriate to label an item as recyclable even if access to recycling varies across the country AND that they expect a product labeled as recyclable can be easily recycled in all areas, regardless of local systems. These consumers are optimistic that a label will give them more than they ask of it.

Overall, results of the poll suggest that ideas about recycling are complicated. The sample is significant in its size (RG Strategies reported the margin of error as +/- 2.8%) and importance. Evaluation of public knowledge and ideas about recycling can illuminate a key link in the material management chain, the retail customer, one that will only grow in importance as waste streams continue to expand and recycling services become available in more areas.