ISRI, Earth911 poll reveals support for separating recyclables from trash

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) and Earth911 received responses from 1,700 people from April 16 to May 20, 2015, in an online poll at www.earth911.com concerning separating recyclables from trash. The results indicate that 75 percent of people would rather maintain a separate bin for recycling than negatively impact the amount of recyclable materials, ISRI reports.

“One-bin collection jeopardizes the quality of recyclables by mixing recyclables with wastes, including liquids, food and chemicals, thereby lowering, and in many cases all together destroying, the value of the recyclables,” says Robin Wiener, president of Washington-based ISRI. “The results of this Earth911/ISRI Opinion Poll are promising in that they demonstrate that the majority of people recognize the importance of collecting recyclables separate from waste.”

The poll asked: Is it worth the convenience to not separate your recyclables from your trash if when sorted after collection, it negatively impacts the amount of materials that can be recycled?

1. No, it's not that difficult to maintain a separate bin for recycling. (75 percent of respondents)
2. I'm not sure. (17 percent of respondents)
3. Yes, added convenience is worth losing some recyclables to a landfill. (9 percent of respondents)
   
   

ISRI says the poll bolsters its official position opposing one-bin collection. The association’s policy, adopted in July 2015, states: “ISRI supports the collection and sortation of recyclable materials in a manner that optimizes the value and utilization of the material as specification grade commodities to be used as feedstock to manufacture new products. Since the quality of the recyclables as specification grade commodities is essential, ISRI opposes the commingling of recyclables with solid waste or mixed waste processing in one-bin system where all solid waste and recyclables are placed together with no separation prior to recycling.”

ISRI represents more than 1,600 companies in 21 chapters nationwide that process, broker and industrially consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics and textiles. ISRI provides safety, education, advocacy and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.