Three in ten people are not recycling all they can due to confusion about what can be recycled. Younger people are the most confused, with only 57% of 16-34 year olds saying they recycle everything possible compared to 82% of 55-74 year olds and 88% of those over 75. Recycling participation also differs by region, ranging from 63% in Northern Ireland who recycle all they can to 75% in Wales, East Midlands, and South East England.

1. Note Percentages do not total to 100% due to multi-code questions which allows respondents to select all relevant responses.
Younger people are
the most confused
about what can be
recycled
Recycling
participation
differs by region
How confused are we?
Net Confusion (*)
National Survey
undertaken by
Future Thinking
Base 12,166
Are we getting the message?
3 in 10 of us are not recycling
all we can with confusion
as a key factor for partial
or non-participation
Serco, together with our research partner Future Thinking, asks the nation about
their attitude to recycling revealing important new insights on the level of confusion
that exists in relation to product packaging, labelling and recycling communications.
Question %
I already recycle all I can 71%
The collections should be more frequent 8%
The recycling information on the products is too confusing* 7%
Not sure what I can recycle (either no information
from my council or it is too confusing)*
5%
I do not have recycling bins or bags 5%
There should be a financial reward 5%
I do not believe that it is actually recycled 4%
I do not have room for a recycling bin or bag 4%
It is too time consuming 4%
I can't be bothered 3%
What, if anything, prevents you/your household from recycling (more)?
Region %
Wales 75%
East Midlands 75%
South East 75%
South West 74%
East of England 71%
North East 71%
Yorkshire 71%
North West 70%
West Midlands 69%
Scotland 69%
London 68%
Northern Ireland 63%
Age Group %
16-34 57%
35-54 70%
55-74 82%
75+ 88%
Age %
16-34 15%
35-54 10%
55-74 8%
75+ 6%
Male Female
9% 13%
Age
What percentage
of people answered
“I already recycle
all I can” by
age group
Region
What percentage
of people answered
“I already recycle
all I can” by
region