Public Calls on Local Governments to Improve Recycling Labeling

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) and Earth911 today released the results of an online poll illustrating public views on the best way local governments can inform them of what can be placed in recycling bins. The results indicate that 40 percent of people prefer clearly labeled bins stating what can or cannot be recycled.

"Confusion over what can and cannot be recycled is a major problem in many local communities," said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. "This leads to a higher rate of contamination in the recycling stream, an overall decrease in value of recyclable materials such as paper as well as a diminution of supply of high quality recycled materials that can be used as feedstocks in lieu of virgin materials. This Earth911/ISRI Opinion Poll demonstrates a strong desire by the public for more information, and by providing this, communities can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of recycling."

Contamination and having the wrong items in the recycling bin can have a significant impact on both recycling rates and the value of the recyclables. Food, dirty containers, and other such items mixed in with recyclables contaminates the stream, making it difficult to process the recyclable items into high-grade commodities. The end result are recyclables that can't be sold or are of less value. This is true especially of paper. Recycling facilities must also have a system in place to remove non-recyclables from the recycling stream which can cost time and slow down the process. Machinery often has to be shut down for hours at a time for cleaning and maintenance as a result of non-recyclables being processed.

In a misguided attempt to try and deal with confusion among the public, some communities are switching to one-bin programs where the public combines all waste and recyclables in one bin for pickup. This however, only increases the contaminates, further depleting the quality and value of the recyclables.

The poll question and results are below:

What is the most effective way that local governments can improve public compliance with putting the right things in the recycling bin?

1. Provide residents with clearly labeled bins. 40%
2. Send residents a postcard with what can and cannot be recycled. 25.2%
3. Develop and promote a webpage to educate residents on what items can be recycled within their jurisdiction. 19.2%
4. Leave notes with local recycling information for those who are mixing trash and recyclables. 15.5%

Note: The Earth911/ISRI Opinion Poll was conducted via the Earth911 website (www.Earth911.com) from December 4 to January 13, 2016, and was answered by 1,224 individuals.

About ISRI

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the Voice of the Recycling Industry™. 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. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides safety, education, advocacy, and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.

About Earth911, Inc.

Earth911 (earth911.com) is a lifestyle and media publishing company that helps consumers live a zero waste lifestyle. Earth911 connects advertising partners with consumers in all aspects of their daily lives, from work and home to food and style. In addition, Earth911 offers the largest directory of recycling information in the United States. Earth911 is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Quest Resource Holding Corporation QRHC.

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