A recent survey by DS Smith has shown that there is still a great deal of confusion about recycling in Germany.
The average German consumes 207 plastic bottles, 94 disposable coffee cups and 190 yoghurt pots per year. In addition, the average person uses 127 drinks cans, 158 glasses and glass bottles and almost 600 cardboard and corrugated cardboard packages - from online retailer parcels to cereal boxes. This was the result of the survey „Cost of Confusion“ from packaging manufacturer DS Smith.
The survey shows that Germans do not feel good about this. On average, three quarters of respondents stated that they felt guilty at least occasionally in view of the amount of waste produced. This prompts many consumers to rethink their behaviour. A first step is then usually the attempt to avoid waste.
Three quarters of Germans are unsure about recycling
The current study shows, that large quantities of waste are incorrectly separated by consumers. Around 28 per cent of respondents are regularly unsure whether packaging is recyclable. At least 43 per cent do so occasionally. A look at the various waste categories reveals this: The greatest difficulties in recycling prepare the Germans Electronic items (40 %), followed by Batteries (28 %), Metal products (27 %) and Plastic (25 %).
More residual waste due to „risk-averse recycling“
The new study results show that more than Four out of ten Germans tend to „play it safe“ and throw the packaging in the residual waste as soon as they are unsure whether the packaging can be recycled.
A clear majority of 68 per cent stated that at least occasionally throw items in the residual waste that they believe are recyclable. When asked about the reasons for this, around 23 per cent of them mainly blame inadequate labelling, while 27 per cent are particularly unsettled by the combination of different materials in one item.
The experts at DS Smith have calculated the following for this proportion of the population the concept of the „risk-averse recycler“ created. Their desire not to contaminate recycling waste with the wrong waste still leaves some room for improvement in the German recycling rate.
To counteract the uncertainties, DS Smith recently launched the „Circuit design principles“ published. On this basis, packaging can be designed to be more sustainable and easily recyclable. A service that DS Smith offers its customers in order to ultimately also enable consumers, easier to participate in the circular economy and recycle more precisely. The principles were in co-operation with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation a global pioneer in the circular economy.
Too much of a good thing: The „Wish-cycler“
The overly cautious recyclers are faced with the „Wish-Cycler“Even if they have doubts about whether an item can be recycled, they throw it in a recycling bin in the hope that they are doing the right thing. Around 27 per cent of respondents fall into this group. More than half stated that they had already Throwing items into a recycling bin that were not recyclable.
Making recycling easier
Whether you are a risk-averse recycler or a wish-cycler - the core problem is similar in both cases. One There is a general awareness of sustainability and an interest in recycling. However, according to the survey, one Lack of overview of the recycling rules as well as a missing or Inadequate labelling of the packaging to undesirable results.
When asked to choose up to three items from a list of suggestions that would help them to recycle more, over half of respondents (53 %) chose each of the following more precise information on products and packaging, as well as packaging that is easier to separate and recycle overall. Less effective motivation is provided by financial incentives, a more consistent recycling policy or more collection points and recycling bins outside the home.
Source: DS Smith
