RECYCLING TODAY: THE AMERICAN CONSUMERS’ VIEWPOINT – Conducted December 2002 by Leger Marketing and ALCAN.
Lack of Recycling Habits:
The main belief why people don’t recycle is thought to be laziness by one third of Americans (33%). The secondary mention is attributed to inconvenience (21%). Just over one in ten people (11%) thought that the lack of programs and facilities was a factor in people not recycling. The indication that laziness is a factor was a strong sentiment in the northeast area of the US (43%) and was also expressed by many people in professional levels of employment (38%).
Effective Government Habits:
A list of potential actions were rated by respondents regarding which might be the most effective move that could be taken by the government and others to help encourage people to recycle their aluminum beverage cans on a voluntary basis.
1. Almost one quarter (22%) believe that the number of recycling centers in their community should be increased.
2. Followed by bringing in significantly more tax-supported curb side recycling programs (18%).
3. In third place there was a tie between the creation of more public education programs for both the monetary benefits and the environmental benefits of recycling.
4. Finally over one in ten people (14%) believe that teaching people how to personally recycle conveniently will be the most effective way to drive voluntary recycling.
People in the southern US were highest to support the increase of recycling centers (27%), while the idea of more tax-supported curb side recycling programs was supported strongest by 25-34 year olds (25%) and college graduates (24%).
