5 Reasons Why People Don't Recycle and 5 Reasons They Should

My last post, “I Don’t Recycle” seems to have struck a chord with many. Leave it to the Care2 community to enlighten, elevate and express their opinions on why people do and do not recycle.

Most of us believe that recycling is ethically the right thing to do. From the comments on the post, it was evident that sadly, we all seem to have friends, family and acquaintances that do not recycle. Below are some of the reasons why people do not recycle and why they should:

5 Reasons Why People Do Not Recycle

1. “Recycling is inconvenient.”
This seems to be the number one reason why people don’t recycle – they don’t want to put in the extra effort. Some places have no pick-up. Some people say that they just can’t be bothered. Is that a good enough reason?

2. “I do not have enough space in my home to recycle.”
The lack of space is an issue for many. People don’t want to see garbage and with little storage space for recycling bins, the trash is an eyesore. Is that a good enough reason?

3. “If they paid me, I’d recycle.”
Some countries fine people for not recycling. Some regions pay for just bottle recycling (we know that works). Some areas have no penalties or incentives for recycling. Is that a good enough reason?

4. “Recycling doesn’t make a difference. So why do it?”
Misinformation about overflowing landfills, depleted resources and climate change has convinced some people that recycling doesn’t make a difference. They believe there is no problem. Is that a good enough reason?

5. “It is just to hard to do.”
Since there are so many facets to recycling – bottle, plastic and paper, it’s hard to decipher which kinds go where. Is that a good enough reason?

5 Reasons Why People Should Recycle

1. “Recycling saves energy.”
Recycling saves energy because the manufacturer doesn’t have to produce something new from raw natural resources. By using recycled materials we save on energy consumption, which keeps production costs down.

2. “Recycling reduces landfills.”
Recycling reduces the need for more landfills. No one wants to live next to a landfill.

3. “Recycling preserves our resources and protects wildlife.”
By recycling, we reduce the need to destroy habitats for animals. Paper recycling alone saves millions of trees.

4. “Recycling is good for the economy.”
Recycling and purchasing recycled products creates a greater demand for more recycled goods. Goods made from recycled materials use less water, creates less pollution and uses less energy.

5. “Recycling helps our climate problems.”
Recycling produces considerably less carbon, which reduces the amount of unhealthy greenhouse gas omissions.

Add some more reasons why you do or do not recycle.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Elke P.

9:30AM PST on Feb 17, 2012

I couldn't read every single comment, but I have to say that there are two things that make people not want to recycle:
a. Bad weather - especially if the recycling bin is standing behind the garage and it is pouring rain, stormy, windy, or a blizzard and -20!
b. Anyone with more than one story in their house - if you have a bathroom upstairs with one or two flights of stairs between it and the garbage bin, do you really recycle your toilet paper roll or empty shampoo containers, or do you just "bin" them for convenience sake

send a green star

KS G.

12:32AM PST on Feb 4, 2012

Thanks for the article.

Britt M.

11:48AM PST on Jan 10, 2012

Wow, this writer totally ripped off our article: http://www.calfinder.com/blog/green-remodeling/5-reasons-why-people-dont-recycle/ (published Jan, 2009).

Sad panda. :(

Fred K.

1:47PM PST on Jan 6, 2012

Cue up NEKTAR, 'Recycled' (the entire album) and ZAKAS 'Tremble tremor' and 'Brand Old' from Shunk Daddy Grind.

Michele W.

9:52AM PST on Dec 28, 2011

Thank you

Summerannie M.

2:55AM PDT on Oct 11, 2011

Oh can I also add that in that photo the 'green bin' with the garden waste would NOT be collected b/c the lid isnt closed and the branches arent tied but they are actually too big. Those would have to be taken to the green depot for mulching. It would be used but not collected when put out. The other is the smaller bin which is kitchen/house waste. That too wouldnt be picked up b/c its over flowing and the lid isnt closed. Yep thems are the roolz here. See if the truck comes to pick up the smaller bin wastage, the wastage would fall on the street/road as its not manually picked up ie by hand. Its the same as the other bin BUT there is a twice yearly pick up of green waste such as this if you dont want to take it to the Green depot as there is an electical pick up and house stuff for pick up but mostly that is junk week where all stuff is crushed in a collection truck and NO stuff is recycled to sell ie chairs/tables etc. sad that ...big huen cry here actually. Soon people might be able to 'crawl/cruise along streets that have 'Junk'days and pick up things for nothing. Anyway we save water for recycling as well as mobile phones, batteries, tyres, electrical things, tvs and pcs..tons of things are recycled and stuff goes to OP Shops too.ITs all good

2:03AM PDT on Oct 11, 2011

Come to Melbourne in Australia and very very quickly you will learn to recycle b/c we recycle well and weekly. I am a dab hand at recycling my green waste and my paper waste with a huge bin we are given by our local council and our waste which is kitchen waste is put into another bin. This one for me is smaller. HOWEVER, my tossing out into the small bin is very minimal b/c I recycle my veggie and most fruit scraps and also my coffee grindings into a large container then that goes into my fantastic WORM FARM to make worm Pee and soil which is called Castings. When I put my weekly bins out there is little to take.

Water I recycle as well b/c I catch it whilst showering and then put it on my garden.

One day everyone will or must learn to recycle in order to help the planet, but more importantly to help sustainability

May H.

4:02PM PDT on Aug 20, 2011

I recycle everything,i even use the veg peelings for the garden, i waste nothing

Bo G.

12:01PM PDT on Aug 18, 2011

It is funny how many excuses one can come up with not to recycle. If people really just took one little second from there day, it would make a difference. My question is, Is it really that much to give up? Not asking for money just one second of your time!!! Honestly, if people could make simple tasks, daily habits, it would only take a second.

Darla G.

3:16PM PDT on Aug 16, 2011

we recyle everything.... my son hates it when I put little things in it, but every little bit counts so I keep doing it...