Millions 'breaching' recycling guidelines - study » Environment » 24dash.com

Millions of Britons are regularly breaching recycling guidelines because of confusion surrounding the scheme, a study has found.

Almost two-thirds of shoppers (64%) admitted to making mistakes with their recyclable packaging, according to research by food and grocery analysts IGD.

A third (34%) said they were unclear about what kinds of packaging materials they are able to recycle.

Many householders were confused about what can and cannot be collected through their local kerbside scheme, with 24% wrongly assuming their local authority collected cardboard and 23% unaware metal cans could be recycled.

IGD chief executive Joanne Denney-Finch said: "While recycling rates have increased substantially over the last 10 years, our research suggests that there is a lot more that could be achieved as millions of us remain confused about recycling and packing disposal.

"Every part of the chain is working to reduce waste and our research shows how local authorities and the food and grocery industry could co-ordinate more effectively to help people who are currently grappling with several sources of information.

"People need clearer and more consistent guidance and improved communication about recycling collections to help them make the right choices. Otherwise our research suggests their frustration often leads them to dump their rubbish in the easiest way possible."

The report, based on interviews with 1,093 shoppers, found 48% of householders had put items in the wrong bin because they did not have time to wash or separate them, because their bin was full or because they wanted to protest that the item should be recyclable.

A third (34%) did not always wash recyclable food packaging like tins and plastic containers and 28% did not always separate packaging before disposing of it.

When asked what would help their recycling efforts the most, 25% said more consistent labelling across all products, 22% cited better kerbside recycling schemes and 21% suggested they would support their council tax bill reflecting the amount they recycle.

More than half of shoppers (54%) were making buying decisions influenced by the environmental impact of packaging, the study found.

The report's author, IGD senior consumer analyst Tim Maton, said: "The number of material types that can be recycled at the kerbside varies considerably by local authority.

"Among the local councils we spoke to, around one in six (17%) were able to recycle five packaging material types at their kerbside, while at the other extreme a similar proportion (16%) could only recycle one or two material types."

He added: "Sustainable packaging innovation can deliver genuine advantage for companies.

"Especially in a downturn, packaging that helps to reduce waste by combining environmental and functional benefits is compelling to most shoppers."