Why Americans Dispose Half of Their Household Recyclables

Despite a widespread belief that recycling is positive, a shocking report from The Recycling Partnership has found that Americans throw out half of their household recyclables. The confusion over what can be recycled and mistrust in the recycling process are the primary culprits behind this statistic.

Source: Vox/YouTube

Many American households diligently segregate their waste, with recyclable materials like cardboard boxes, plastic containers, aluminum cans, and paper-making their way to recycling bins. However, according to the report, approximately 15 million tons of such recyclable materials still end up in landfills annually.

The main reasons behind this improper disposal of recyclables are a lack of knowledge about recycling and a lack of confidence in the recycling process. About 78% of Americans rely on product labels for recycling information, and a staggering 70% admit to finding these labels confusing. Moreover, the report found that 75% of Americans living in communities with recycling programs do not recall receiving any communication from their local program, adding to the confusion.

This confusion extends to what items can be recycled. Many people mistakenly believe that items like Styrofoam and food waste are recyclable. These materials, however, should not be placed in recycling carts, as Styrofoam is non-recyclable and food waste can damage recycling machinery.

While most Americans believe recycling is beneficial, confidence in the recycling process is waning. The report found that 44% of committed recyclers are unsure whether their recyclables aren’t just being thrown out with the trash, while 35% question if their local recycling program is managing to recycle correctly.

To bridge this recycling behavior gap, the report suggests better communication between recycling providers and customers, such as info cards, stickers, and signs depicting what can and can’t be recycled. Simplifying the recycling process and providing larger recycling collections could also encourage better recycling habits. As one respondent rightly said, “If it’s easy, then almost everyone will do it.”

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