<b>York Region, Ontario Recycling Awareness for Common Household Items</b>

Recycling is a critical component of waste reduction and environmental sustainability. This study investigates the awareness of recyclable household items among residents of York Region, Ontario. A survey of 180 York region residents assessed their understanding of the recyclability of ten common household items based on York Region’s recycling guidelines, as seen in the Bindicator website (York Region, 2023). The findings reveal high recognition of recyclable items such as single-use plastic water bottles and mason jars, with 95% of respondents identifying them correctly. However, significant confusion exists regarding certain plastics, including black plastic and plastic cutlery, where correct responses ranged from 52.2% to 67.8%. Chi-square analysis (p&lt;0.05) showed statistically significant discrepancies between expected and observed recycling knowledge for these items, indicating gaps in public awareness despite wide program accessibility. This study demonstrates that there is a need for improved labeling, clearer recycling guidelines and enhanced public educational initiatives to address misconceptions about plastic recyclability. Future research should examine the influence of demographic factors, regional policy variations, and a broader range of household items to better inform strategies for improving recycling outcomes.