Local Loops Numbers

The first round of survey data was collected between September 17th through the 25th and there were 24 total participants. Our analysis focusses on 18 participants who answered every question on their form. The sample size was near 1,000, and was sent through the Neighborhood design center's email list. Participants were split into two categories: those answering as individuals and those answering as businesses. Their locations vary across the Central Columbus area.

When asked to mark which of the eight incentives motivate participants to recycle, answers varied; despite this, our data suggests how knowledge on recycling affects why people do it. For example, every business that answered this question marked "reduces exported waste" as an incentive to recycle, compared to just 42% of the individuals who answered the same question. It's also notable that "consuming natural resources" lay within the top three reasons businesses and individuals have to recycle.

For the participants who already recycle, they were then asked to identify the kinds of materials they use from a list. For most materials being recycled on the list, the ratio of businesses and individuals remains the same. The one exception is how businesses recycle cartons slightly more than individuals do.