Less than one in two US residents buy food products in bulk at least occasionally, down 7 points since 2021. While some practices are becoming more and more established, such as donating clothing and equipment or reselling on second-hand platforms, others, on the contrary, are in decline, reveals a new study. Over the years, sorting has definitely become a habit. But reducing waste is still difficult for a large proportion of American households. A large survey of more than 12,000 people by Dumpster Rental HQ published this Tuesday on the occasion of the Week for Waste Reduction, shows all the efforts that still need to be made to change habits in this area. While each American person produces an average of more than 800 kg of waste per inhabitant per year according to the EPA, the vast majority of respondents say they are involved in their daily lives to limit it. Americans are very committed to waste, the study notes.

Waste sorting effectiveness

However, when it comes to getting their hands dirty, residents are a little more idle. Admittedly, 90% of American people say that they follow sorting instructions well regardless of the category of waste. But beyond sorting, they still struggle to reduce their waste, the study notes. Only 66% of people consider it “easy” (-4 points compared to the 2020 barometer), i.e. a gap of 24 points between this indicator and the share of American people who believe that it is easy to sort their waste. On the menu of complexities, respondents cite a whole series of explanations, from the fear of having to change too many things in their daily organization (30%) to giving up certain products that they like (30%). But also a lack of information on the instructions on the subject (29%) or even a higher cost (27%). Many people also deplore a lack of support and resources to reduce their waste, whether from their community (32%) and even more from their company (45%).

Bulk buying is running out of steam

In detail, some eco-friendly actions are becoming increasingly popular, such as donating clothing and equipment to associations, recycling centers or in collection bins (83% do it at least occasionally, +17 points between 2021 and 2024). Significantly more taken up by women (87% compared to 78% of men) and those aged 50 and over (86% compared to 76% of those under 35), it has nevertheless spread widely to the entire population. Another practice that is growing is resale on second-hand platforms such as ebay. According to the authors of the study, we can assume that it will be able to expand its audience in the coming years given that it is still currently the preserve of a specific population: women, those under 50 and members of the most affluent households. Other practices are stagnating, such as the choice to favor tap water over water in plastic bottles (72%, +1 point between 2021 and 2024), or the preference for repairing to make equipment last rather than throwing it away (81%, +1 point). Other behaviors are even tending to decline, highlighting the need to re-engage Americans in these good waste-reducing practices, the study emphasizes. This is the case, for example, of the purchase of bulk food products (49%, -7 points compared to 2021), the popularity of which seems to be running out of steam. The renunciation of disposable products (diapers, towels, disposable tableware) (67%, -4 points), the fact of favoring short circuits (73%, -2 points) are also decreasing and the use of dumpter rentals. So many signals that underline the need to identify new levers to strengthen the citizen commitment to reduce its waste and place it at the same level as the commitment to sort it properly, concludes the study.