Awareness about plastics recycling at exceedingly low levels, indicates ISRI poll

BRUSSELS (Scrap Monster): The online poll conducted by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) in collaboration with Earth911 highlights the need for more public awareness and education campaigns by municipalities on plastics recyclability. The results of the poll indicates that majority of the respondents are unaware or unclear about plastic recycling.

The survey was conducted online from May 19 to July 23, 2014 on the Earth911 website. Over 1,100 residents took part in the survey. The detailed results of the survey are published in the website.

The main findings of the survey are:-

a)      Only 37% of the respondents were aware about the acceptable food contamination levels.

b)      72% of the poll participants were unaware of the different types of plastics that are accepted by municipality curbside recycling program

c)      More alarmingly, 82% did not have enough information as to where they can recycle plastics.

d)     Only 17% of the poll participants were aware about the recycling numbers

Commenting on the poll results, ISRI highlighted the strong need of education by municipalities on the various categories of plastics that can be recycled and ways to recycle them. The Institute will also focus on hosting series of educational workshop to create recycling awareness among general public.