Education about “circular economy” is the great challenge: only 35% of Mexican respondents understand the meaning of the term. Consumers in Mexico indicate that 30% recycle 75% or more of their plastic waste

Seven out of ten Mexicans recognize a decisive role of consumers in the recycling of plastics, although very few (35%) understand the meaning of “circular economy”, a key concept to advance in the recycling of plastics and reduce its impact on the environment, revealed the State of Plastics Recycling 2021 report from Hi-Cone, a leading provider of multi-pack ring systems for beverages and a provider of sustainable packaging solutions for global brands of consumer goods.

For this second edition of the State of Plastics Recycling report, Hi-Cone commissioned the international market research and data analysis firm YouGov, which surveyed more than 5,000 people in Mexico, the United States, Spain and the United Kingdom. Among the countries surveyed, Mexico obtained the highest score (73%) in highlighting the role of consumers as a key factor in advancing knowledge and recycling behaviors.

In this installment, the research was expanded to determine the public’s understanding of the term circular economy, as well as its support for recycling initiatives; if their recycling actions are consistent with their willingness to do so and the identification of the groups that should provide greater leadership to increase overall participation in recycling.

‘Considerable progress has been made in reducing plastic waste through robust recycling initiatives,” said Shawn Welch, Group President, Consumables Packaging & Platform Equipment and Acting Vice President, Hi-Cone. ‘The information contained in this report will allow us to work with industry and supply chain partners to advance the transition from the traditional linear economy – where used products become waste – to a more dynamic and sustainable circular economy. ‘Welch added.

The intention is to help consumers understand the term circular economy to increase participation in the elimination of plastic waste through the 3R’s (reuse, reduce and recycle).

In the four participating countries, respondents identified a group of key stakeholders – packaging manufacturers, consumer goods companies, government and consumers themselves – as primarily responsible for providing effective resources and solutions for plastics recycling. Consumers also indicated a shared responsibility among these groups to expand knowledge and influence behavior towards achieving a circular economy.

Greater education and recycling facilities, the challenge

The need for continuing education and greater access to recycling programs and facilities emerged as central themes of the study. Despite the lack of understanding about the concept of circular economy, the majority of respondents indicated personal behaviors that aligned with the goals of the term. More than half (61%) indicate that they recycle three-quarters of their plastic waste.

Although there are already some initiatives within the circular economy that reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability in manufacturing, production and consumption, in Mexico, three-quarters of those surveyed (75%) believe that more recycling containers are needed. in public spaces and 72% suggest the need for more recycling centers.

According to the study, consumers in Mexico indicate that 30% recycle 75% or more of their plastic waste; however, there are still recycling hurdles to overcome, as only 12% recycle all of their plastic waste.

As a driver of the circular economy, Hi-Cone has made considerable progress on its own path to sustainability. These include the formation of several cross-industry alliances, including a recycling partnership with TerraCycle® in the UK, Avangard Innovative in the US, and the launch of its product RingCycles ™, beverage container rings made with more of 50% post-consumer recycled content (PCR), which cuts the company’s use of virgin plastic by more than half.

Hi-Cone is currently evaluating options to start a recycling program in Mexico.

“At Hi-Cone we are committed to offering packaging solutions that contribute to a more circular economy and keeping our products away from waste streams and the environment. We will continue to invest in recycling programs for greater consumer participation. We know there is an opportunity to capture a higher percentage of used goods materials and return them to production processes where they can begin a second useful life, ”concluded Shawn Welch.

Key findings from the global study

• 31% of the people surveyed are sure they understand what the term “circular economy” means.
• More than half of those surveyed (61%) said they recycled three-quarters of their plastic waste. In all countries, the ratio of participants who recycle to non-participants was nine to one.
• More than three-quarters of respondents (78%) indicated that increased facilities and / or orientation would positively influence them to recycle more frequently.
• Less than a tenth (9%) of study participants regularly collect and transport materials to a collection facility, while significantly more (44%) indicate that they are likely to do so in the future for the benefit of the environment. environment.
• More than half (53%) of respondents currently remove labels from packaging to make it more recyclable or are likely to do so in the future.
• An encouraging number (52%) already send materials to recycling centers through the mail or are likely to do so in the future.
• The highest percentage of participants who already take measures is to keep a compost at home (11%), while (32%) declare that it is likely to do so in the future.