Waste management has been overshadowed by recycling myth

Is it our fault?

Two surveys conducted by The Conversation set out to understand the psychology of waste in the U.S.

Researchers asked individuals to rank the popular phrase ‘reduce, reuse, recycle,’ with each step placed in order of its importance. At least 78 percent of participants wrongly believed the most effective way to deal with waste management was to recycle.

The truth is, the well-known phrase is already organised correctly.

The most effective way to approach waste management is to reduce the amount we’re producing in the first place. But with recycling touted as a silver bullet for waste management for decades, the other two processes – reduce and reuse – have been neglected in messaging about waste management.

In that light, it shouldn’t be too shocking that most people still think that the option of recycling gives us a free pass to consume and dispose of as much as we want, guilt-free. Especially when the truth about recycling has only been made public knowledge recently.

For the second part of the study, researchers asked participants to sit at computers and virtually sort different types of waste items into their correct bins – recycling, compost, and landfill.

This experiment yielded telling results. Non-recyclable items, such as plastic bags and lightbulbs, were frequently placed by participants into the virtual recycling bin – simply because those partaking in the study were unsure of which items went where.

What does this tell us?

Though most of us are well-intentioned in how we choose to sort and dispose of waste, we have been largely misled and underinformed about the process of how to properly do so.

Complicated, state-varying restrictions on what items can be recycled have led to only 35 percent of people sorting their waste into separate bins on a regular basis, despite the fact that 94 percent of Americans say they acknowledge recycling initiatives as a positive thing.

It seems that rather than placing the onus on regular people, a better approach would be government-enforced bans on single-use plastic items everywhere.

Scientists would agree, as they have called for a complete halt on virgin plastic production by 2040. Some countries have already started this journey by placing strict restrictions or total bans on the sale of single-use plastic items.

Change is happening, but it needs to be faster

New Zealand recently banned plastic bags used for fruits and vegetables in grocery stores and France is soon set to do the same. India also banned single-use plastics such as straws, cups, and protective plastic films on products such as cigarettes.

Last year, California officials made a huge announcement, stating there would be a complete ban on the sale of single-use plastics in their state by 2032. It is a radical but necessary policy that will shake up the food, fashion, and cosmetic industries operating in-state and may see other states follow suit.

With bans like these popping up around the world, government funding and subsidies should be offered to companies innovating to create bioplastics made from biodegradable or easily recycled materials.

There are tons of companies doing this right now. Creative teams have started using mushrooms to replace polystyrene, seaweed for food packaging, bamboo for sequins on clothing, as well as accessories, home decor, and more.

With adequate investment into research and development of bioplastics, we will be far more prepared and confident in a global decision to end the production of virgin plastics entirely.

Because it’s clear – recycling has not been and never will be our saving grace.