Recycling, It’s Time to Hit Restart
Take everything you know about recycling and go back to square one. Let’s face it, the idea of recycling is nothing new and yet, we’ve all somehow managed to get it terribly wrong. You’re not to blame; we’ve all wanted to play a part in doing good but have been misled by an industry in dire need of an overhaul.
The Challenge of Recycling at Scale
In the global effort to mitigate environmental impact, recycling stands as a cornerstone of sustainable practices. Yet, despite widespread adoption, effective recycling at scale remains elusive in many communities and often hinges on more than just good intentions; it requires clear communication, meaningful action, and effective logistics. Commercial buildings in major metropolitan areas grapple with challenges in recycling, including high contamination rates and overall recycling recovery totals significantly below the national average. How can cities like Atlanta, along with commercial properties, rejuvenate their recycling initiatives and restore meaning to this essential practice? Where does all the recycled material go?
A Short History on Recycling
Recycling is not a new concept with its roots tracing back centuries. Even the renovation of iconic structures like Notre Dame in Paris revealed historical recycling practices. However, it was the environmental movement of the 1970s that catalyzed modern recycling programs across the United States, including the introduction of dedicated recycling bins like Missouri's pioneering paper collection bins in 1975. Back then, the practice was generally straight forward as it focused on returning singular materials like aluminum and glass to the manufacturer as a gesture of goodwill or as a deposit return system. Now, with the existence of many different materials, consumers are expected to navigate confusing signage and sort items based on what is accepted at various locations. Office buildings, local municipalities, and even airports each have specific materials they accept, and disparate signage on how to communicate with the public. In addition, many governments and organizations do not report any data about what happens to the recyclables, resulting in a lack of transparency.
The Impact of Symbolic Meaning
The recycling symbol, ubiquitous yet often misunderstood, plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and behavior. According to a revealing article on Gizmodo, the recycling symbol—once a beacon of environmental responsibility—has regrettably become diluted and misunderstood over time. Originally designed to signify recyclability and inspire conscientious disposal, its ubiquitous presence has paradoxically led to confusion and complacency among consumers.
The Role of Education and Signage
Education and clear communication are pivotal. Research conducted by the University of Georgia in collaboration with Busch Systems underscores the impact of strategic messaging on recycling behavior. Key findings highlight three approaches: informational, normative, and productive transformation messaging.
Informational Messaging: This straightforward approach provides clear lists of recyclable and non-recyclable items, reducing ambiguity and empowering individuals to make informed choices.
Normative Messaging: Leveraging social identity—such as local mascots or community icons—can tap into group norms to promote recycling as a collective effort, fostering a sense of pride and participation.
Productive Transformation Messaging: Highlighting how recyclables can be transformed into new products, such as carpets and bottles, can inspire individuals by showcasing the tangible outcomes of their recycling efforts.
Here is an example of a well labeled recycle bin with images alongside descriptions helping users clearly discern what can and cannot be recycled.
While this appears to be a good example, users do not know what type of paper is accepted and if all glass is accepted or not. What material can be accepted can change from city to city and building to building.
Atlanta's Recycling Challenges and Strategies
Using Atlanta as an example, their Climate Action Plan ambitiously aimed for an 80% waste diversion rate by 2020, yet current recycling recovery rates hover at a disappointing 38%. High contamination rates further complicate efforts to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Strategies for Renewal
To bridge this gap, urban centers and commercial buildings must prioritize education and transparency:
· Enhanced Signage: Placing recycling bins conveniently next to waste bins with clear, visual instructions can significantly increase recycling rates by reducing confusion and encouraging correct disposal. The image below, by Waste Management is a great example to minimize any confusion with what is accepted.
· Educational Campaigns: From community workshops to online resources, proactive education about recycling guidelines and the environmental impact of waste can empower residents to take meaningful action.
· Gamifying Recycling: Creating incentives to tie into making the education campaign fun is a great way to get the community engaged. Taking an example from the food waste industry, citizens were given a bingo card and as they filled the bingo card with stickers from fruits and vegetables, they sent the card in for a prize. This helped the compost industry with the issue of stickers being left on food scraps.
· Transparency in Operations: Building trust through transparency in waste management operations is crucial. Residents need to understand how their efforts contribute to larger environmental goals and how their waste is managed.
Looking Forward
Continuing with Atlanta as an example, their new goal of achieving a 50% recycling recovery rate by 2025 is ambitious but attainable through concerted community engagement and strategic initiatives. Pilot programs, such as organic waste collection trials and refill stations, could further enhance landfill diversion efforts and reduce landfill reliance.
What can we do now? Think about the low hanging fruit, this could be your office space. If your organization has sustainability goals and you’re not clear on what can or cannot be recycled in the office, ask questions. Ask your office manager, facility manager, or property manager to share an updated list of what is being collected and by whom. Create simple signage to start and tape it to the bins. Share what you uncovered at your next team meeting, your colleagues, and whomever is tracking your organization’s sustainability goals. It is generally easier to improve a process already in place than to start anew, this is why we call it low hanging fruit. It does not have to take a lot of effort or financial resources to make a big impact and lower emissions.
In conclusion, while the recycling symbol may have lost some of its clarity over time, its intrinsic message of sustainability remains vital. By revitalizing public education, enhancing signage clarity, and fostering transparency, organizations can take the lead in reinvigorating recycling efforts and inspiring a new generation of conscientious recyclers.
Thanks for reading! We’d love to hear from you and if you have questions about how to improve your current recycling program and how to drive engagement, schedule a 30-minute call with us.
