Reuse: The Answer
Is in Our Hands
If you chose "All of the above," you are correct.
These single-use items harm both recycling systems and the ecosystems they escape into. Although recycling programs rarely accept them, they are commonly "wish-cycled," meaning people toss them into recycling bins hoping they'll be processed. This well-intentioned mistake creates serious problems: wish-cycling forces recycling facilities to work harder sorting through contaminated materials and can cause entire loads of otherwise valuable recyclables to be sent to landfills.
So, what would it take for people to shift away from using these materials?
One study from the University at Buffalo (UB) took a close look at how or why New Yorkers make decisions about single-use items, reuse, and recyclables. Here is what the research revealed.
Choosing to Reuse
Understand the environmental benefits of reusable products. Callout: {Around 80% of the respondents agree that reusables help to conserve natural resources and are beneficial for the environment than single-use items.}
The study also
found that
New Yorkers
generally:
Are willing to put in extra effort to use reusables when possible
Feel a sense of responsibility to reduce waste
One of the most interesting takeaways from the study is how clearly New Yorkers understand the benefits of reuse. Durable reusable alternatives help conserve natural resources and prevent waste. They can also reduce recycling confusion by removing some of the most problematic items from the system altogether.
The research shows that some common reuse practices are already quite popular across NYS. According to the study, nearly 88 percent of New Yorkers say they would carry their own reusable bag when grocery shopping. If you have already made that switch, you are part of a growing majority in NYS.
Then what’s holding us back?
This is where the research got especially interesting, and a paradox was revealed.
Despite strong awareness and good intentions, the study found that support of reuse does not always translate into everyday action. Participants did not view reusables as inconvenient, but many reported difficulties remembering to bring them and acknowledged that single-use items make life convenient.
As the researchers explain, participants reported low “perceived behavioral control.” In other words, people want to use reusables and believe in their value, but do not always feel set up to succeed in this effort. This gap between motivation and action helps explain why single-use items continue to prevail, even among people who want to reduce waste.
Some of these barriers are simple and familiar. A reusable bag, mug, or container can be easy to forget on a busy day. Other barriers are systemic and beyond our individual control.
Access is another challenge. Takeout orders often still arrive in single-use packaging, and many restaurants do not offer reusable service ware alternatives. For many NYS residents, reuse simply is not always available as an alternative option.
Awareness, Policy, and Infrastructure Gaps
The study also revealed important gaps in awareness. Many participants believed that businesses should be responsible for implementing reuse systems and reducing single-use packaging.
This gap extends to practical knowledge as well. Many people are unsure where to find reuse options, such as donation sites, repair services, or community reuse programs. Addressing these barriers requires both structural changes, like expanding reuse infrastructure, and education that helps people understand what options already exist. Recycle Right NY has some great resources on our website to help, too: visit our locator maps to find opportunities for reuse, repair, and electronics recycling near you. https://recyclerightny.org/locator-maps
Individual Actions Still Matter
The study makes one thing clear: individual actions do matter and many New Yorkers believe this, but then of course, individual actions work best when supported by systems that make reuse easier.
Remembering your reusable bag at the grocery store matters. Bringing a container for leftovers matters. Carrying a reusable mug matters. At the same time, research shows that personal willingness can only go so far without policies, access, and infrastructure that support reuse at scale.
The data tells a clear story: reuse works best when people, businesses, and systems move together. Take action when you can and help others do the same by sharing what you learn.
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Content for this page was developed based on findings from a recent study conducted by the University at Buffalo through the New York State Center for Plastics Recycling, Research & Innovation (CPRRI). Research at CPRRI is supported by funding from New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For more New York State recycling and reuse behavior data, click here.
What People Are Saying
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— Quote Source
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— Quote Source
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— Quote Source
Available Plans
Stemming from good intentions, Wish-Cycling is the act of throwing a material into the recycling bin and hoping that it will be recycled without knowing for sure if it is locally accepted for recycling.
If we don't recycle materials properly, there can be many consequences for the recycling process including: damaging equipment, injuring workers, slowing the process down, increasing the cost of sorting, and decreasing the value of recyclables.