A significant portion of the population is unaware of the meanings behind packaging symbols, recent research shows.
According to a study conducted by Plasticsheetsshop among over 800 British people, a striking 90 per cent of respondents admitted to knowing the meaning of only a few symbols, while six per cent confessed to not understanding any at all.
Just a small group (four per cent) reported being well-versed in these symbols, facilitating more effective waste separation.
the study finds that when uncertain about which bin to use for a particular piece of packaging, 58 per cent rely on their intuition. Only 17 per cent consult official waste separation guidelines, whereas 21 per cent dispose of such packaging in the general waste bin without further consideration.
The study asked respondents about the meanings of seven packaging symbols.
On average, 82 per cent correctly identified them. However, participants struggled most with the symbol indicating that “each piece of packaging, a financial contribution has been paid to a national packaging recovery organisation,” with only 12 per cent recognising it.
Additionally, 14 per cent failed to identify the glass recycling symbol. In contrast, nearly all respondents recognized the symbol meaning “you should throw it in the trash after use.”
Interestingly, people from London were the most sure to know what all the packaging symbols. Londoners were also more likely to research or look at waste separation guidelines – 21.59 per cent compared to 17.36 per cent across the UK.
In Yorkshire and the Humber only five per cent of people indicated checking separation guidelines.
When looking at differences across ages people under 25 years old indicated they were the most sure to know the meaning of all symbols – 9.64 per cent, compared to only 3.37 per cent of 65+ year olds.
The research underscores a strong demand for better explanations of packaging symbols. A substantial 69 per cent of those surveyed believe that clearer information would make waste separation significantly easier.
Women seemed to find clarity for symbols more pressing than men – 75.95 per cent indicated they find it very important, while only 62.66 per cent of men shared that view.
