ISRI poll says older adults more green

WASHINGTON (Nov. 20, 2014) — Young adults aged 18-34 are less likely to make recycling a high priority in their lives than older adults, according to the results of a Harris poll conducted for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).

Only 33 percent among the 18-34 age group say they always recycle, as opposed to 45 percent of those aged 35 and over, according to the poll results released Nov. 13.

Also, young adults were less likely to say that recycling is critical to reducing energy consumption (36 percent vs. 46 percent of those aged 55-64) and will help reduce landfill space (45 percent vs. 60 percent of those 45 and older).

Thirty-seven percent of those 18-34 say they wish they recycled more, as opposed to 22 percent of those 35 and older, according to the poll.

ISRI released the poll in conjunction with America Recycles Day, which was held on Nov. 15.

"Over the last several decades communities have strived to make recycling easier through curbside pickup, drop off locations, convenient public cans located near trash cans, recycling drives, and more," said ISRI President Robin Wiener. "There are corporate buy-back programs and in-store drop-offs for recyclables as well.

"That is why it is so disappointing and shocking to see young people not fully understanding the value of recycling.  Clearly, more needs to be done both to encourage recycling and better comprehend why younger generations aren't seeing the energy, environmental, and economic benefits that recycling provides.”

According to the poll, Americans would like to see more readily available options to recycle. Nine out of 10 Americans think that recycling collection sites need to be more readily accessible to consumers, ISRI said, and two-thirds believe that manufacturers and/or retailers should pay for recycling programs when they are not already available to consumers.