Old Dogs, New Tricks Infographic

We need to change behaviors around consumption and waste - before people give up on recycling.

Over the last 80 years, we've used messaging to drive new behaviors around consumption and waste.

1950s-1960s

"Use it up and wear it out" for the war effort

1940s

"Buy what you want and throw it away."

1970s

"Don't litter"

1980s-1990s

"Reduce, reuse, and recycle"

2000s

"Recycle" - the other R's have faded

And it worked.
People took our recycling message to heart.

95%

of Americans think recycling helps the environment.

75%

say it's the best way to help our planet.

76% of Americans say recycling makes them feel better about buying stuff.

But that get-out-of-guilt-free promise is starting to break down.

49%

of Americans say the recycling system isn't working well.

30%

aren't confident their recyclables are being recycled (up from 14% in 2019).

After all, 42% want to be seen as someone who's buying eco-friendly products.

If their stuff is really being landfilled...
the problem just got personal.

Americans are looking for new ways to purchase - without waste on their consciences.

That makes NOW the time to come full circle.

Use it up and wear it out

It's up to brands to provide new circular solutions - and roll out the right messaging to change behaviors.

What's your brand doing to teach