Waste sorting and recycling
The Waste sorting and recycling survey measures how consistently people separate their waste and what stands between them and doing it more. It covers how often they sort, which fractions they handle, how clear the rules feel, how much they trust the system, and what would help. Use it to plan infrastructure, communication and incentives that actually move participation.
What the “Waste sorting and recycling” survey measures
The questionnaire tracks sorting frequency (from always to never) and which categories people separate — paper, plastic, glass, metal, composite cartons, organics, hazardous waste, electronics, textiles. It rates how accessible drop-off infrastructure is near home and how clear the sorting rules are, then digs into barriers: no convenient bins nearby, no storage space, no time, unclear rules, doubt that waste is truly recycled, no way to rinse packaging, or lack of household support. A dedicated question captures trust that sorted waste actually reaches recycling, and a final list surfaces what would raise participation — more bins, clear instructions, at-home solutions, transparency, regular pickup, collection for harder fractions, financial incentives or building-level support.
Who the “Waste sorting and recycling” template is for
It suits municipal waste and environment departments, recycling operators and collection services, housing associations and building managers, sustainability NGOs and green initiatives, and CSR or ESG teams running workplace programmes. It is useful before rolling out new bins or routes, when a scheme underperforms, or when measuring the effect of an awareness campaign.
How to adapt the template to your needs
Match the fraction list to what your area actually accepts — drop textiles or add deposit-return items if that fits local rules. Reword “near your home” to “at work” or “in your neighbourhood” for the right context. Branch so people who never sort get a barrier-focused path while active sorters get incentive and improvement questions. The trust question can become a follow-up open field to capture why skepticism exists in your area.
Questions and answer options
Answer options:
— Always or almost always
— Often
— Sometimes
— Rarely
— Never
— Hard to say
Answer options:
— Paper and cardboard
— Plastic
— Glass
— Metal
— Composite packaging (e.g., cartons)
— Organic waste (food scraps)
— Hazardous waste (batteries, lamps)
— Electronics/appliances
— Clothing/textiles
Answer options:
— Fully accessible (nearby and convenient)
— Rather accessible
— Rather not accessible
— Not accessible at all
— I don’t know / haven’t paid attention
Answer options:
— No convenient bins/drop-off points nearby
— Not enough space at home to store separated fractions
— No time / it’s inconvenient in daily life
— It’s unclear how to sort properly
— I doubt the waste is actually recycled
— No ability to rinse/prepare packaging
— I don’t know which types are accepted
— No support for this practice in my household/building
Answer options:
— I fully trust it
— I rather trust it
— I rather don’t trust it
— I don’t trust it at all
— Hard to say
Answer options:
— More bins/drop-off points near home
— Clear instructions (what goes where and how to prepare it)
— Convenient at-home solutions (bins/bags/organizers)
— Transparent information about what and how is recycled
— Regular pickup of separated fractions
— Nearby collection for harder fractions (cartons, different plastic types)
— Financial incentives (discounts/points/deposit)
— Support at building/community level (shared bins, communication)
