Google Form sent to 156 New York City residents, intended to:
Three individual in-depth interviews, conducted virtually, intended to:
Understand recycling behavior as it pertains to improper sorting
Recognize pain points about recycling labels and city resources
Learn where residents believe their responsibility ends and the municipalities’ begins
Google Forms Survey Findings



Explore current recycling behavior and attitudes
Measure the level of confidence that residents place on product labels and government resources to accurately guide the recycling process
Methodologies
Google Form sent to 156 New York City residents, intended to:
Explore current recycling behavior and attitudes
Measure the level of confidence that residents place on product labels and government resources to accurately guide the recycling process

Understand recycling behavior as it pertains to improper sorting
Recognize pain points about recycling labels and city resources
Learn where residents believe their responsibility ends and the municipalities’ begins
Three individual in-depth interviews, conducted virtually, intended to:
Key Findings
Methodology
Google Form sent to 156 New York City residents, intended to:
Methodologies
Explore current recycling behavior and attitudes
Measure the level of confidence that residents place on product labels and government resources to accurately guide the recycling process
Understand recycling behavior as it pertains to improper sorting
Recognize pain points about recycling labels and city resources
Learn where residents believe their responsibility ends and the municipalities’ begins
Three individual in-depth interviews, conducted virtually, intended to:
Google Forms Survey Findings




Not at all Important
Somewhat Important
Extremely Important
76.8% of residents said that recycling was extremely important to them.

Other

3.9%
Good understanding?
Only 25% of people felt like they had a good understanding of recycling symbols and labels on packaging.

Huge change
No change
Small change
77.3% of people said their recycling motivation would change if labels were easier to decipher.







Primary Research: Methodology and Findings
Primary Research: Methodology and Findings
Affinity Map Interview Findings
Affinity Map Interview Findings
NYC Residents:
NYC Residents:
Understand the importance of recycling to combat the current climate crisis, but are unsure if their efforts are enough.
”Sure, I could toss it. But I don’t want to be contributing to the massive landfills that are already taking over our world.“
Are willing and able to recycle, but need updated supplies, better outreach, and more convenient disposal locations.
”The modern paper carton: it’s lined with some sort of unnatural material and it’s got a plastic cap, but the outside is cardboard. How do I separate it?“
Follow mandates to avoid fines, but question the methods and trustworthiness of their authorities.
”Its’ shocking to me that we don’t get mailers from the city that say ‘as a reminder here are the rules and how things should be sorted.’“
Are willing and able to recycle, but need updated supplies, better outreach, and more convenient disposal locations.
Have no easy way to decipher recycling codes and package labels, leading them to feel set up for failure.
Follow mandates to avoid fines, but question the methods and trustworthiness of their authorities.
Understand the importance of recycling to combat the current climate crisis, but are unsure if their efforts are enough.
”Sure, I could toss it. But I don’t want to be contributing to the massive landfills that are already taking over our world.“
”Its’ shocking to me that we don’t get mailers from the city that say ‘as a reminder here are the rules and how things should be sorted.’“
”The modern paper carton: it’s lined with some sort of unnatural material and it’s got a plastic cap, but the outside is cardboard. How do I separate it?“
”I do my best to rinse out any food containers because I’ve heard it doesn't get recycled if it’s messy.“
Follow certain recycling patterns, like rinsing out containers, but don’t know why.
”Street bins would be great so we don't have to worry about bad weather.“

Follow certain recycling patterns, like rinsing out containers, but don’t know why.
”I do my best to rinse out any food containers because I’ve heard it doesn't get recycled if it’s messy.“
Have no easy way to decipher recycling codes and package labels, leading them to feel set up for failure.
”Street bins would be great so we don't have to worry about bad weather.“