Three-quarters of Australians (74 per cent) still believe that a trip to the recycling bin is the most impactful initiative they can do for the environment, according to a new report from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO).
The APCO’s Australasian Recycling Label Consumer Insights Report 2023 is an annual benchmarking survey exploring consumer recycling attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours in Australia and New Zealand.
According to the report, 61 per cent of Australians believe that regular recycling is more environmentally impactful than using reusable shopping bags. This is followed by switching the lights off (58 per cent) and using refillable containers (43 per cent).
Meanwhile, a fifth of Australians (20 per cent) prioritise reducing their red meat consumption and a third (34 per cent) consider swapping the bus or train for the car will have the biggest impact.
However, the report also revealed that when it comes to recycling, confusion still poses a major challenge, with 50 per cent of Australian households saying that they find it difficult to know what can and cannot be recycled at home. Meanwhile, 65 per cent are seeking more information about how to recycle.
Twenty-one per cent of respondents said they head to their local container deposit scheme drop-off points to deposit plastic bottles, while 30 per cent use the service to earn cash on their aluminium cans.
The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) also continues to play a significant role in helping consumers put packaging in the right bin.
According to APCO, the public’s awareness of the ARL has grown steadily year on year, from 47 per cent in 2018 to 76 per cent in 2023. The majority of respondents also think it is a great idea and want to see it on all packaging.
“Understanding the pain points that everyday people are experiencing at the bin is an essential part of building an effective recycling system. One year on from the closure of the much-loved REDcycle program, it’s encouraging to see that Australians still trust and value recycling,” said Chris Foley, CEO of APCO.
“For businesses, it’s essential we reward that trust by providing accurate recycling information to make the process as simple as possible. We know the ARL plays a vital role in helping consumers make responsible purchasing and packaging recycling decisions. More than that, it’s a great tool for businesses to understand the materials they are using in their packaging and what the environmental outcomes are,” he added.
To access the full Australasian Recycling Label Consumer Insights Report 2023, visit packagingcovenant.org.au.
