A recent research study of consumer habits has shown that people typically have consistent recycling habits in the home setting, but efforts to decrease the amount of waste disposed can be impacted by lack of space, sufficiently large recycling bins, and labeling on plastic bottles, cans, and other materials indicating if they can or cannot be recycled.

While over seventy two percent of consumers surveyed say they regularly recycle in the home, only half have collection bin outside of the kitchen area. As a result, less waste materials that are generated in other parts of the home end up being recycled. The key solution to this problem is to have recycling containers placed throughout a residential structure in places such as the home office, bathrooms, workroom or garage, and gathering spaces such as a family room or recreational space.

For those consumers who recycle regularly, ten percent say it is because it is required in their community and over forty percent say it is because they care about reducing waste in landfills and helping to improve the environment. Consumers cite the most difficult part of recycling is lack of easy identification on packages, either through the universal use of the recycling symbol or other printed instructions. The study found that knowing quickly and easily if and how waste materials can be recycled would improve the amount of items successfully recycled.

WasteCare Wants Your to Remember: Knowledge and convenience go together when you are trying to increase your recycling rate at home or the office. Be sure to take the time to educate family and employees about what can and should be recycled and then make it easy for them to do so by placing recycling collection bins in key locations. In no time you’ll see your amount of waste decrease and your recycling increase!