Study: Americans Likely to Purchase More Recycled Products

A study conducted by Frost and Sullivan recently found that Americans are likely to increase purchases of items made from recycled materials in the future. The study provides a look into how much Americans know about recycling and the recycling programs offered within their communities, as well as their attitudes toward recycling.

The Results

• Of those surveyed, 82 percent of respondents indicated being aware of the recycling programs within their communities.
• 80 percent reported that their household recycles.
• 73 percent of respondents indicated they are very/somewhat likely to purchase products made of recycled materials in the future. This percentage represents an increase from previous years.

“Companies that use recycled materials or promote recycling of their products have certainly done a good job at getting Americans to recognize recycling symbols and encourage people to become interested in their products,” said Tonya Fowler, director of competitive benchmarking services for Frost & Sullivan.

The Significance

The environmental benefits of buying products made of recycled materials are many, which is why agencies including the U.S. EPA and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) now provide information and resources regarding recycled products on their websites for consumers. Both the EPA and CIWMB highlight companies and organizations manufacturing and selling products made from recovered materials.

According to CIWMB, recycling is more than just dropping off products in the nearest recycling bin. It is a three-step process that starts with the recycle bin, continues when companies use the recovered material to manufacture new products and ends when consumers purchase a product made of recycled materials.

Buying recycled products supports local recycling programs by creating markets for the collected materials, conserving natural resources and reducing solid waste, greenhouse gases and air and water pollutants, according to CIWMB.