Research Shows 4 Main Barriers to Recycling

New research from the Waste & Resources Action Program (WRAP), an England-based company that helps individuals and businesses reduce waste and recycle more, has revealed four main barriers which keep people from recycling. These barriers include:

1. Physical  – 52 percent of current recyclers said they would recycle more if they had collections of a wider range of materials.
2. Behavioral – 48 percent of current recyclers still threw things away because they were not sure they could be recycled
3. Lack of knowledge – Just 48 percent understood ‘very well’ what they were supposed to use their recycling containers for
4. Attitudes and perceptions – 86 percent of recyclers would be encouraged to recycle more by seeing the practical impact of their recycling in their local area

WRAP began gathering the research in fall 2007 and surveyed 1,512 households from a sample of nine local authorities in England. Over the last 10 years, recycling rates have increased from 7 percent to 33 percent in the country and two-thirds of English households now report being committed recyclers.

“We believe this research will help local authorities boost their own recycling rates and to build on their existing successes. WRAP will continue to support local authorities in achieving this,” says Phillip Ward, director of local government services at WRAP.