WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Democrats and Republicans are notorious for talking trash and disagreeing, especially near the mid-term election. But, believe it or not, their garbage reveals surprisingly they do agree on one important environmental issue ... recycling!
A recent national survey conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation and commissioned by the Aluminum Can Council's Curbside Value Partnership (CVP) showed that the majority of both Democrats and Republicans are doing their part to recycle at the curb, the easiest way for most to recycle. In fact, in areas where curbside recycling is available an overwhelming 70% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans say they "always" participate.
"Where pundits and talking heads may find themselves spinning arguments during election time, this survey has found that a surprising number of members of both parties agree that everyday environmentalism happens at home," says Steve Thompson, 31-year veteran of the recycling industry and Program Director for the Curbside Value Partnership (CVP), a national program designed to help communities sustain effective recycling programs locally. "Who would have thought that both parties could agree on the environment? Granted, it's not policy we are talking about, but it's a step in the right direction."
The survey revealed interesting similarities between both parties when it comes to favoring government recycling programs and, surprisingly, both believe that it is their community's responsibility to provide them. For example, the survey found:
-- When asked how important curbside recycling was to them, both
Democrats (95%) and Republicans (94%) answered that it was at
least "somewhat important to them," if not "very" or "extremely
important."
-- Only two percent of each party stated it is "not at all
important."
-- More than half of respondents in both parties believe that
recycling is their responsibility in order to help the
environment.
-- Both parties are united in what they are the most careful about
recycling, with newspaper and aluminum cans topping both lists.
-- However, after newspapers and cans, they were split. Democrats
are more careful to recycle glass (18%) than Republicans (10%)
and Republicans are more careful to recycle plastic (24%) than
Democrats (16%).
"This survey highlighted some of the surprising ways that Democrats and Republicans can agree on an important environmental issue," says Neil Wolch, Vice President of Research Services for Opinion Research Corporation. "The disparities in responses were minimal and an overwhelming majority of feedback gave some indication that both parties are willing and interested in doing their part locally."
While Republicans and Democrats pretty much agreed on the importance of recycling, there were some small discrepancies in why. Democrats seemed to respond more to the message that "recycling is their responsibility to their children and the environment," where as Republicans, while they agree it is their responsibility to the environment, also favor the message that "recycling is just as convenient as throwing something into the garbage." (25% of Republicans versus 11% of Democrats favor this "convenience" message.)
While many of those with access to curbside recycling say they are participating, there is still plenty of work to be done to improve national participation rates.
"We need to start practicing what we preach," says Thompson. "This survey shows us that bins are overflowing and people are willing to pitch-in, but there is still a lot of work to be done to get the message out abut recycling at the curb! And we also know that what people say, is not always what they practice every day. While this survey revealed that most favor local recycling programs, we know that we still need to do a better job educating residents and remind them why they should recycle."
Of those who say they recycle at the curb, 91% of Democrats and 89% of Republicans surveyed say that each week their curbside recycling bins are half full or more. Even more significant is the fact that two in ten surveyed say their bins are overflowing with recyclables every time- a good argument for larger bins in some communities. If participation in curbside recycling expands to areas without access there is potential to boost recycling rates by significant amounts.
About the Curbside Value Partnership:
Created three years ago, the national CVP program is a research-based partnership with communities, haulers, material recovery facilities (MRFs) and other stakeholders to identify solutions to improving curbside recycling programs and address falling recycling rates. CVP wants to increase residential participation in local curbside recycling programs and make curbside programs more profitable and sustainable. Current CVP partner communities include, but are not limited to, Arlington County, VA; Burlington County, NJ; Charlotte, NC; Kansas City, MO; Brevard County, FL; Indian River, FL; Denver, CO; Omaha, NE; Orlando, FL and several counties in Pennsylvania. For more information and for full survey results, visit www.RecycleCurbside.org.
The Aluminum Association logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3015
Note to the Editor: Full survey results available for review upon request. Email: molly.fraust@hillandknowlton.com. The survey was conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation on October 19, 2006 via CARAVAN Survey. Confidence level for total sample (n=1020), is 3.1%; for total Dems or Reps (n=289 or 268), it is about 6%. Total population of respondents is 1,020 adults. Of those, 289 were Democrats and 268 were Republicans. The remaining were Independents or other.