Do You Recycle? If Not, It's Probably Due To One Of These Reasons, According to Survey

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Nearly four out of ten Americans surveyed say they always recycle, but the reasons why others
don’t vary significantly based on where they live. A recent survey of 2,697 U.S. residents
conducted by CivicScience between April 2023 and July 2024 reveals intriguing correlations
between recycling habits and area of residence.

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The most common reason cited for not recycling more is the infrequency or inaccessibility of
recycling services, with nearly one-quarter of respondents pointing to this issue. This concern is
particularly pronounced in rural areas, where nearly four out of ten respondents identified it as their
primary barrier. In contrast, suburban and urban residents are less likely to cite this reason, with
approximately one-third and one-fifth of respondents, respectively, indicating it as their main
obstacle.

Knowledge
Another significant barrier is a lack of knowledge about what can be recycled and how to do it. This
issue is most prevalent in suburban areas, where nearly four out of ten respondents admitted to
being unsure about recycling guidelines. Urban residents also struggle with this, with three out of
ten citing it as their biggest reason for not recycling more. Rural residents are less affected, with
just over one-fifth indicating confusion about recycling.

Space
Space constraints also play a role, particularly in suburban areas. Nearly half of the respondents
from the suburbs mentioned not having enough space to accommodate recyclables as their
primary reason for not recycling more. This issue is less significant in rural areas, where only about
one-third of respondents cited it, and in urban areas, where just over one-fifth mentioned it.

Forgetfulness
Another common reason is forgetting to recycle, especially in suburban areas. Nearly half of the
suburban respondents admitted that they usually just forget to recycle. This issue is less prevalent
in urban and rural areas, with about one-third and one-fifth of respondents, respectively, indicating
forgetfulness as their main barrier.

Distrust
Distrust in recycling programs is a notable concern, particularly in suburban areas. Nearly half of
the suburban respondents expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of recycling programs.
This distrust is less common in urban and rural areas, where about one-fifth and nearly one-third of
respondents, respectively, cited it as their primary reason for not recycling more.

No Interest
Lack of interest in recycling is another barrier, especially in suburban areas. Nearly half of the
suburban respondents indicated they are not interested in recycling. This sentiment is less
common in urban and rural areas, where about one-fifth and nearly one-third of respondents,
respectively, mentioned it as their main reason for not recycling more.

Overall, the survey highlights significant differences in recycling behaviors and barriers based on
where people live. While nearly four out of ten Americans always recycle, the reasons for not recycling vary
widely depending on whether respondents live in urban, suburban, or rural areas. These insights
can help inform targeted strategies to improve recycling rates across different communities.

Climate Crisis 24/7 used generative AI technology to help produce this article, which a human editor at Climate Crisis 24/7 edited. Climate Crisis 24/7 is dedicated to accuracy and transparency; any article that uses AI will be noted.