Results show Americans recycle at work, but more public options needed to make habit a "no-brainer"
New survey data suggests that Americans are filled with pride as they fill their recycling bins but are often left wanting when searching for recycling options while on the go.
More than four in five Americans (82 percent) say they feel a sense of pride when they recycle, according to a new survey conducted online in October by Harris Interactive and commissioned by the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA), the trade group representing those who protect the environment and public health by managing America's waste and recycling. The survey results coincide with America Recycles Day (Nov. 15).
"Recycling participation rates have increased dramatically during the last few decades in the U.S., and that is an achievement that all Americans should celebrate," said Sharon H. Kneiss, president and CEO of EIA. "There is positive, pent-up desire to recycle even more in America. But we need more recycling options on our main streets and in our shopping malls, restaurants, theaters, airports, gas stations and other public spaces."
Most Americans do not indicate success at recycling while out about town, and more than three in five (62 percent) report feeling guilty every time they throw something away instead of recycling it, underscoring a pressing need for expanded options in public and leisure spaces.
Major findings of the survey include:
1. An overwhelming majority of Americans--82 percent--feel a sense of pride
when they recycle, and 62 percent feel a sense of guilt when they toss a
recyclable item in the trash.
2. Americans are split on what they will do with a recyclable item if a
recycling bin is not nearby. Nearly three-fifths (58 percent) say they
will keep the item until they can recycle it, but 54 percent also admit
they will sometimes trash a recyclable item if they cannot find a bin
nearby.
3. Most Americans will make an extra effort to recycle items outside their
homes (74 percent), and those employed say they often have success
recycling at work (58 percent).
4. However, significantly fewer Americans say they are often successful
recycling in other public settings, including when traveling for vacation
or business (22 percent), while out shopping or walking along city
streets (22 percent each) or when dining out (16 percent).
"Wherever there is a public trash can, there also should be a recycling bin within sight," said Anne Germain, EIA's waste and recycling technology director. "People think about recycling and inherently want to, but they need readily available recycling options for the habit to be a no-brainer."
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Environmental Industry Associations from Oct. 29-31, 2013 among 2,022 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact EIA Communications Director Thom Metzger.
