In a new survey of nearly 2,500 U.S. adults conducted for the Carton Council of North America, 90% of respondents said they believe recycling is important and that people should do what they can to try and recycle. To break it down further, more than six in 10 (61%) believe people should make recycling a priority, and 29% believe people should do what they can to try to recycle.
“The survey results reiterate what we in the industry have known all along, that recycling is important and remains a vital part of ensuring our planet is in the best shape for future generations,” says Jason Pelz, Vice President of Recycling Projects for the Carton Council of North America and Vice President, Environment, Tetra Pak Americas. “Despite some media coverage last year that questioned the importance of recycling, American consumers care about recycling and the environment. It’s within our power as an industry to unite for the common goal of ensuring every American has access to recycling and is recycling all that they can.”
Further reinforcing the widespread support for recycling, the survey also found that 95% of consumers believe that if more people recycled their household containers, it would help the environment. Additionally, the survey revealed that recycling is very much a cultural norm in the U.S. Eighty-two percent of respondents said that all or some of the houses in their neighborhood set out recycling on collection day.
“With the price of oil so low, there has been a lot of discussion about the short-term economic feasibility of recycling,” says Pelz. “However, recycling is important not just for the economic benefits but also because it tackles the issue of resource scarcity that will eventually impact us all. Additionally, in some communities, recycling addresses concerns over the lack of landfill space. Recycling is not going away in this country.”
Results from the survey also reinforced that recycling is seen as a local issue and that using a variety of local communications is most effective. When asked where they turn for information about their community, respondents said they would first turn to local media (43%), followed closely by friends and family at 36%, bill stuffers and newsletters at 29%, social media at 21%, and events at 20%.
