The most common barriers to recycling in home include lack of room-specific recycling bins and clear product labeling, says the 2014 Cone Communications Recycling in the Home Survey, conducted in partnership with Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies.
The survey, conducted as part of its Care to Recycle program, finds there is genuine interest among consumers for recycling in home, but despite this, only about half do recycling beyond kitchen.
Nearly one-in-five (17 percent) would recycle more often if they had better or more convenient recycling bins throughout the house. But, the majority (56 percent) of recyclers keeps bins in the kitchen, as opposed to other rooms throughout the house, such as the garage/basement (43 percent), laundry room (21 percent) or bathroom (14 percent).
Lack of awareness also hinders effective recycling, the survey said. Consumers do not know what products or packaging are recyclable and the amount of space recycling requires as additional factors in favor of tossing recyclables in the trash.
Of the consumers who do recycle, the majority does so because of a genuine concern for the environment (42 percent). Just 10 percent of Americans recycle solely because it is mandatory in their communities.
Labels can improve their chances of being recycled, the study said considering the fact that only one-fifth of recyclers will go the extra mile to research whether a product can be recycled when it is not clearly labeled. Most recyclers take shortcuts by:
Hispanic consumers are more steadfast than the general public in their commitment to recycling. More than half (53 percent) reports always recycling in the home, compared to 46 percent of the average population.
The chance to earn money or rewards is the number one way consumers say they could be further encouraged to recycle more often at home (41 percent), but they also look to companies or their own communities to provide additional encouragement through education and resources.
According to the research, companies and customers have to take a collaborative approach in this regard, asking communities to provide solutions that make recycling less confusing and more convenient so consumers can do their part.