Content area
Full Text
People want to recycle, but a diversion program's success depends on residents' and workers' understanding of how to recycle correctly. As a result, the industry is ever wrestling with how to design strategic communication initiatives, with both the solid waste industry and product and packaging manufacturers joining the effort.
They have learned that simple messaging is better; choosing a universal language that resonates is critical; and consumers need assurance that what they put to the curb actually gets recycled.
A web-based survey conducted by Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) on behalf of the Food Service Packaging Institute (FPI), a trade organization, found that most consumers rely on local government or recycling companies' websites for recycling information. Younger audiences gravitate toward social media for information.
But most consumers turn to the package first for specific instructions.
And the most effective communication is succinct and simple, such as flyers with images grouped by material categories, with brief, user-friendly instructions.
More than half of RRS' survey respondents said they tried to determine if they should recycle by looking for a symbol on the package, while about 25 percent said they would check with their city, county...