Recycle. Don’t Recycle. Can’t Recycle.
How many times have you went to throw something out and realized that you had to figure out what material exactly it fit into the “sort-it-out” disposal bins? A lot of the bins around UBC are now converted into these large sorting containers. I usually have fun taking off the cardboard sleeves or plastic covers and finding the right bin to place them in, as nerdy as it sounds. However, when I’m tight on time, I have to be honest and say that I definitely just toss all my contents into the garbage section of bins.
Sort-It-Out Bins at UBC
So why does this happen? That we sometimes recycle but not all the time? Our first Client Challenge with Crankworx at Whistler Blackcomb brought to light the clear barriers to action. In short, it comes down to inconvenience, the lack of incentive to recycle, and it is just confusing in general.
However, when I thought about the times I would enjoy finding out whether the plastic cap was appropriate or not to be put into the plastic recycling container, these barriers did not apply to me. So, again, why does this happen? After scrounging through the Internet, I still couldn’t find a clear answer.
Personally, I get a kick out of people seeing that I put the effort into putting dirty napkins into the compost section, the cardboard sleeves into the paper bin, and you probably get the gist of it! Moreover, when there is someone who thoughtlessly tosses their Tim Horton’s coffee cup into the garbage while I’m sorting, I feel a sense of power over them. So, for me, it’s not because it’s “good for the economy” or “helps our climate problems”, it’s strangely that feeling of superiority that compels me to recycle.
Anyone else just as weird as me? Or what are your thoughts on why people recycle sometimes, but not all the time?
References:
Citron-Fink, R. (August 4, 2011). 5 Reasons Why People Don’t Recycle and 5 Reasons They Should. Retrieved from http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-reasons-why-people-dont-recycle-and-5-reasons-they-should.html
Hi Katie!
I certainly agree with your points about the convenience factor that affects people’s decision whether to recycle or not. Another point that really bothers me is that sometimes I just don’t know what material is the product made of. In several occasions I find myself just looking at the product in my hand, looking at the containers and trying to figure out which bin is this supposed to go in. If it is like a plastic bottle or a can that is easy but disposable cutlery and plates are usually my biggest challenge, and most of the time I just end up throwing them into the garbage bin. To be honest, I can’t understand why anyone would throw their coffee cup into the garbage bin especially when the recycling bin is right next to it with a picture on it, but some people just do not care and that is pretty annoying in my opinion. But we shouldn’t lose hope, a lot of people are recycling properly in UBC. Back in my high school in Turkey, I saw people throwing food into recycling bins…
Thanks
Burak
Hi Katie,
Since taking the sustainability classes, I have a much better understanding about the recycling system and was able to put more things in the right places. I know that the majority of people are still not aware of the proper way to sort waste, and also the current bins are pretty confusing and not consistent. I believe that lots of times it’s easier to create a system that coordinates well with current behaviours, rather than changing the behaviours themselves. You might have heard about the 2015 Organic Ban in Vancouver. This company called BioClens creates a compostable bin for organic waste to help people easily adapt to the new waste system (the bin is leak-proof and can be thrown together with the organic waste). I read this article about why companies should limit human interference in their campaign, which I think is more effective in some circumstances (http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/marketing_comms/thomas_kolster/your_campaign_human-proof_how_limiting_human_interfere).
Hey Katie. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I get the same feeling of superiority as you do when recycling. I also get the warm, fuzzy feeling of doing good too, but there’s definitely some strange superiority thing going on there. And you know what, it’s a real shame that’s what it has come to. I feel like that’s what the green movement has been reduced to, snooty people shopping in Whole Foods with their upturned noses, bragging about how they have a home compost system, with worms and all. There was actually a hilarious episode of Modern Family in which one of the characters got into a competition with his neighbour about their environmentalism efforts. I truly hope this trend doesn’t continue and people realise that recycling, composting, what have you, is actually about doing the right thing. I think messaging in sustainability marketing needs to focus on the tangible benefits of being sustainable, such as cost savings, in order to reach a broader market outside of snooty, rich people. Damn you, Whole Foods!