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The (Mis)Understanding of the Symbol Associated with Recycling on Plastic Containers in the US: A Brief Report

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Listed:
  • Carl A. Latkin

    (Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
    Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Lauren Dayton

    (Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Grace Yi

    (Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Ariel Balaban

    (Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

Abstract

Plastic containers are a major source of pollution and contribute to greenhouse gases. Many plastic containers are embossed with a small symbol of three arrows forming a triangle and a number in the middle of the triangle. As part of a US online study, we assessed the meaning of this symbol. Of the 808 respondents presented with a visual image of the three-arrow symbol, 81.3% reported (incorrectly) that the symbol indicated that the item could definitely be recycled and 16.3% reported that it could probably be recycled. The findings suggest that a large proportion of individuals have an inaccurate understanding of the symbol on plastics purported to indicate recycling. Plastic manufacturers should revise labels about recycling and not disseminate potentially deceptive information about the ability to recycle their products, and more effective methods such as extended producer responsibility legislation are needed to reduce plastic pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Carl A. Latkin & Lauren Dayton & Grace Yi & Ariel Balaban, 2022. "The (Mis)Understanding of the Symbol Associated with Recycling on Plastic Containers in the US: A Brief Report," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-7, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:15:p:9636-:d:881062
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrade, Eduardo B., 2011. "Excessive confidence in visually-based estimates," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 116(2), pages 252-261.
    2. Emily Fischbach & Eric Sparks & Kenneth Hudson & Shoon Lio & Elizabeth Englebretson, 2022. "Consumer Concern and Willingness to Pay for Plastic Alternatives in Food Service," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-23, May.
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