“Consumer confidence in recycling is falling, and on–pack labeling can help consumers make the right choice when it comes to being part of an effective recycling system, but labeling is only one piece. A truly effective recycling system requires five things: packaging is designed to be recycled; communities have access; constituents are effectively engaged; materials are properly sorted and processed; and end markets turn old material into new products, demanding recycled content for recycled content products.
The legislation from Senator Merkley and Representative Correa is a step in the right direction to ensure packaging claims reflect reality. We look forward to working with Congress to get the U.S. to meet all five requirements of an effective recycling system.”
-Anthony Tusino, Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs
The Partnership Has Been Tracking Confidence Over Time
The 2026 Recycling Confidence Index sits at 609 out of 1,000, down 18 points from the 2022 baseline score of 627. But that number alone does not tell the full story. First launched in August 2022, the Recycling Confidence Index was designed to track resident confidence and identify the factors that could be improved to support a system where people can and do recycle. This 2026 update shows where confidence has shifted, where the system is gaining ground, and where trust is still lacking.