Used Beverage Can Disclosed as the Most Recycled Material

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  Leading reverse vending solutions manufacturer TOMRA has revealed the findings of its first Recycling Trends and Insights Survey carried out in association with Qualtrics. The survey was conducted among 1,200 people from March 26-April 10, 2018 across six U.S. states-Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New York and Vermont- where bottle bills are in place.

According to the findings of the survey, Used Beverage Can (UBC) was the number-one material to recycle. Nearly 17% of the respondents selected UBC as their preferred choice of material to be recycled. It was followed by plastics (16%), cardboard and glass (15% each) and paper (14%). Almost 23.7% of the respondents recycle because they consider it as good for the planet. 23.3% recycle because it is the right thing to do, whereas 19.5% recycle because it makes them feel good. Only 19% recycle to redeem their deposit.

Curbside pickups and reverse vending machines were the most preferred options to recycle bottles and cans. 53% of people take the materials to reverse vending machines or redemption centres. Nearly 89.5% believe that all items collected by reverse vending machines are properly recycled, whereas only 73.2% believe that collected materials through curbside pickups are recycled. In reality, 100% of containers collected at reverse vending machines are recycled into new products. On the other hand, only 50% of those collected through curbside pickup are actually recycled.

The survey revealed that 86% of the respondents were aware about the state-operated container deposit program.

32% of the respondents cited forgetfulness as the main reason for not recycling. Lack of knowledge about what and what not to recycle prevented 21% from recycling. Inconvenience of recycling was cited as reason for not recycling by nearly 16% of the respondents.