Effectiveness of Product Recovery Systems

Most consumer waste produced is from consumable products that end up in the general waste stream. To divert some of these products from the waste to recycling stream relies on separation at the point of disposal. Product stewardship programs are in place to increase the capture of some end of life products for reuse and recycling. However, these programs are reliant on the behavior of consumers at the disposal stage of the product life cycle. The work involves audit of the waste and recycling streams and identifying the effectiveness of separation. A survey of consumers is conducted that tests their understanding of the recyclability of products. The work provides insights into the influences that increase the recycling rates for consumer products at the end of life. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.