Why Some People Do NOT Recycle

Recycling has been spreading for years: through schools, churches, communities, and homes. It is now widely accepted as a socially beneficial act for man and nature, urban and rural. Yet still there are a good portion of people that do not recycle. Why?

It is important to remember the reasons why people don’t recycle. For it is addressing these reasons that will likely lead to universal participation. The vast majority of people are willing to recycle but, for whatever reason, do not find it in their best interest. Here are some possibilities:

1. No Space. Some people just don’t want open bags of “garbage” lying around the kitchen and do not have room for large bins. This is especially prevalent in areas where recyclable materials must be separated and/or delivered to the recycling station by the homeowners or tenants themselves.
2. Inconvenience. More generally, most non-recyclers just find it plain inconvenient. There is no curbside recycling but there IS curbside trash service. And recycling just adds unwanted chores to the daily grind. It’s much easier to walk to the curb than drive to the transfer station.
3. Misinformation. Many people are misinformed about the effects of recycling. They don’t see the landfill that is rising ever upward and don’t know forests are saved or could be saved by recycling. The severity of these issues is often downplayed in media and in person.
4. No Deposit. We love our beer, wine, soda, bottled water, etc. The success stories behind beverage deposits are staggering. They have made a big difference in states like Michigan where the 10-cent deposit leads the nation. Whereas the lack of a bottle deposit has a massive impact in a society that values its recreational beverages so highly. If nothing else, beverage deposit programs warm people up for broader recycling programs.
5. Confusion. Recycling can often be confusing, which leads to frustration and then apathy, leading people to toss something out if they’re unsure about its recyclability. In some areas, only plastic bottles with necks smaller than their bodies can be recycled. Not to mention that there are roughly 12 different kinds of plastic. Some can, some can’t be recycled.

For the gung-ho recycler, these may not seem like very difficult barriers. And they’re not, really. What is difficult is a change of mindset or outlook. If someone can see how their actions are making a difference (preferably in a positive way), then they are more likely to stick with it and not let confusion or inconvenience stand in their way.

So, as much as this article focuses on why people don’t recycle and it is important to understand these and other reasons, it is even more important to focus on why we DO recycle. All it takes is some education, good examples, and a nudge from the community.