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Survey points out a lack of information and effective actions, despite the concern for the environment

Image: Alfonso Navarro on Unsplash

Brazilians are concerned about the environment and think recycling is important, but most of them know little or nothing about selective collection and waste disposal. Only one in four people separate organic and recyclable waste and only 35% of those interviewed think it is easy to find information about how selective collection should be done in their city.

These are the results of an Ibope survey made to order by the Ambev brewery in the last week of May. 1,816 people in all states and the Federal District were interviewed by telephone. The margin of error is 3 percentage points and the confidence level is 95%. The objective of the survey is to understand the relationship between Brazilians and garbage, according to Filipe Barolo, sustainability manager at Ambev.

88% of respondents say they care about the environment and 97% say recycling is important. On the other hand, in a country that generates more than 1 kg of waste per inhabitant per day, 66% of respondents know little or nothing about selective collection and 39% of the population does not even separate organic waste from recyclable waste.

What Brazilians think about garbage

• 88% think that caring for the environment is one of the biggest concerns today, but...
• 15% think one more straw won't make a difference in the world
• 14% think one more cup won't make a difference in the world

What about recycling

• 98% think recycling is important for the future of the planet
• 68% say they are careful when buying products with packaging that is recyclable, but only...
• 35% think it is easy to find information on how to carry out selective collection in their city

Recyclable trash

According to the survey, 68% of respondents say they pay attention when buying and choose recyclable packaging. However, when asked about the recyclability of materials, the answers indicate misinformation. 77% know that plastics are recyclable, but only 40% know that PET bottles are recyclable - and they are plastic. According to the survey, 64% know that glass is recyclable and 50% know that paper is also recyclable. Only 5% of people know that long-life packaging is recyclable.

The answers about aluminum are also surprising. Although Brazil recycles 97% of the aluminum it consumes, only 47% of the people interviewed know that this material is recyclable. Also about returnable packaging respondents know little or nothing - 72% are in this group.

Ambev's idea is to increase the amount of returnable and recycled containers and the survey showed that communication still needs to improve in this regard. Without the support and participation of the end consumer, business initiatives are worth very little. Ambev launched the first 100% recycled PET in the Brazilian market in 2012 and currently 56% of Guaraná Antarctica bottles are made with this type of packaging. Today, around 33% of Ambev's total PET production is made from recycled material, according to the company.

To learn more about recycling, selective collection and garbage separation, check out the videos and articles below:

• Recycling: what is it and why is it important
• What is selective collection?
• Garbage separation: how to properly separate garbage
• Is it recyclable or not?
• Colors of selective collection: recycling and its meanings
• What is organic waste and how to recycle it at home
• What is compost and how to make it
• How to reduce plastic waste in the world? Check out indispensable tips
• Understand the environmental impact of plastic waste on the food chain