Secure Destruction Business » Research Polls »

Past Poll Results

Recent Poll & Results

Week of 4/11/2005 Q: Do you see the pace of consolidation in the document destruction business accelerating over next two
Yes, it will continue at present pace:	51%
Yes, but not as quickly:	25%
No, consolidation will slow:	9%
About the same:	8%
Not sure:	4%
Consolidation. What consolidation?:	4%
183 Total Responses

Week of 12/29/2003 Q: Overall, where do you think the markets for recyclables will be through next year
Up modestly (0-10%):	27%
Up significantly (10-25%):	22%
Way, way up (25%+):	9%
About where they are right now:	10%
Down modestly (0-10%):	6%
Down significantly (10-25%):	3%
Down greater than 25%:	2%
If I knew that I would be in Vegas:	15%
Not Sure:	6%
882 Total Responses

Week of 6/15/2003 Q: What material makes up the brunt of your business?
Ferrous Metal:	13%
Nonferrous Metal:	11%
Paper:	33%
Electronics:	8%
Plastics:	17%
C&D Material:	4%
Solid Waste:	6%
Other Material:	3%
Selling Equipment/Services:	3%
None of the Above:	3%
464 Total Responses

Week of 5/18/2003 Q: Do you expect to see markets at the end of this year stronger than they are right now?
Much stronger:	21%
Slighter better:	27%
About the Same:	14%
Down Slightly:	13%
Down Significantly:	2%
Not Sure:	10%
If I knew that I would be in Vegas:	14%
63 Total Responses

Week of 4/13/2003 Q: Do you plan on increasing your business outside North America over the next year? If yes, Where?
Yes, more to Asian market, especially China:	42%
Yes, more to Latin American market::	7%
Yes, more to European market::	6%
Yes, to other untapped regions:	8%
No, I plan to stay on the domestic market:	28%
Not Sure:	8%
71 Total Responses

Week of 4/6/2003 Q: Are there commercial waste franchising laws that make it difficult for you to procure material?
Yes, in several municipalities:	19%
Yes, but only in one or two municipalities:	14%
No, but there are pending laws that are a concern:	24%
No, this is not a concern:	19%
No, franchising will make it easier:	0
Not Sure/Don't Know:	24%
21 Total Responses

Week of 3/23/2003 Q: Do you plan on purchasing any of these types of material handling equipment this year?
Yes, hydraulic scrap handlers:	14%
Yes, wheeled loaders:	2%
Yes, skid steer loaders:	7%
Yes, forklifts:	16%
No, Buying Other equipment:	11%
No Plans to Purchase Equipment:	32%
Not Sure:	18%
44 Total Responses

Week of 3/10/2003 Q: Are you seeing a change in the generation of new recyclable material?
Significant decline in generation:	12%
Modest decline in generation:	12%
Basically unchanged:	40%
Slight increase in the generation:	17%
Sharp increase in the generation:	8%
Not sure:	12%
86 Total Responses

Week of 3/1/2003 Q: What should the United States do in regards to Iraq?
Give inspectors more time. It is working:	27%
Push for a UN negotiations:	8%
Iraq refuses to cooperate. Must be disarmed soon:	41%
Leave Iraq alone. Not our business:	20%
Not sure:	3%
379 Total Responses

Week of 2/16/2003 Q: It's trade show season. What is the primary reason you attend recycling industry trade shows?
To hear industry-related presentations:	26%
To shop for equipment/services:	10%
To establish and strengthen contacts:	42%
To get out of the office and think strategically:	6%
I don't attend industry trade shows:	16%
31 Total Responses

Week of 2/2/2003 Q: Should single stream collection programs be used by municipalities?
Yes, it is necessary to keep recycling viable:	28%
It is one of several options for muni. programs:	15%
Yes, as long as you leave glass out:	10%
Single-stream needs to improve:	17%
Single-stream should be halted; it harms quality:	29%
130 Total Responses

Week of 1/19/2003 Q: Are you in favor of President Bush's economic policy of tax cuts?
Strongly in favor:	40%
Somewhat in favor:	7%
Need to hear more:	5%
Somewhat Opposed:	3%
Strongly Oppose:	42%
Unsure:	3%
269 Total Responses

Week of 1/5/2003 Q: Are you expecting to spend more this year on capital improvements?
Yes, a significant increase:	31%
Yes, but a slight increase:	33%
Holding the line on expenditures:	12%
Slight cut in capital expenditures:	4%
Large cut in capital expenditures:	12%
Not Sure:	7%
67 Total Responses

Week of 12/22/2002 Q: New Year's Resolutions. Worthwhile or waste of time?
Every year I try at least one resolution:	22%
Sometimes I give it a try:	11%
Nope, never bother. I won't change:	4%
Resolutions? Nothing to change:	2%
Happy New Year:	61%
54 Total Responses

Week of 12/8/2002 Q: What is the primary activity you use the Internet for?
Work related research:	48%
General business news:	3%
Buying/Selling/Trading:	5%
Leisure/recreational use:	11%
Read E-mail:	16%
Commodity Information:	4%
None of the Above:	12%
122 Total Responses

Week of 11/24/2002 Q: Due to a slower economy are you seeing a decline in generation of recyclables?
Yes, a significant decline:	18%
Yes, a modest decline:	34%
About the same as last year:	16%
Slightly more recyclables collected:	12%
Collecting significantly more recyclables:	12%
Not Sure:	7%
105 Total Responses

Week of 11/10/2002 Q: Are you looking to increase your employee ranks over the next six months
Yes, we are actively looking to hire:	32%
We are considering hiring staff:	22%
No, we are holding firm with staff:	28%
No, we are reducing employee ranks:	13%
Not sure at the present time:	6%
87 Total Responses

Week of 10/27/2002 Q: What recyclable material are you most interested in?
Ferrous Metals:	6%
Nonferrous Metals:	4%
Paper/Paperboard:	20%
Plastics:	26%
Electronics:	7%
Glass:	3%
Rubber/Tires:	4%
C&D Waste:	5%
Other:	23%
490 Total Responses

Week of 10/13/2002 Q: Should government take a more active role in the recycling industry?
Yes, offer incentives for collection :	13%
Yes, improve end markets:	6%
Yes, through legislative initiatives :	7%
All the above:	50%
No, govt. should stay out of recycling business:	24%
206 Total Responses

Week of 10/1/2002 Q: Which option should the Bush Administration pursue toward Iraq?
Use armed forces soon.:	31%
Await U.N. approval before using force:	6%
Build a broad coalition of military allies:	8%
Wait for weapons inspectors report before action:	11%
Any armed excursion into Iraq would be poor policy:	43%
329 Total Responses

Week of 9/15/2002 Q: What is the single largest factor holding back the U.S. economy?
Consumers overspent in the 1990s:	10%
Consumers reluctant to spend after stock losses:	12%
We're in an inevitable business cycle slump:	16%
Lack of confidence because of corporate scandals:	18%
Terrorism/war possibility :	11%
Media overreaction creates panic:	19%
Other:	9%
Don't see problem with U.S. economy:	4%
128 Total Responses

Week of 8/25/2002 Q: Do you plan on making any major equipment purchases in 2003?
Yes:	44%
No:	30%
I am planning on upgrading exsisting equip.:	12%
Not Sure:	14%
96 Total Responses

Week of 8/11/2002 Q: Are you in favor of a national "bottle" bill?
Yes:	85%
No:	12%
Not Sure:	3%
652 Total Responses

Week of 7/22/2002 Q: Should the U.S. government follow Europe's lead and mandate vehicle recycling?
No, the American system works fine:	36%
No, the govt. should help find ASR solutions:	10%
Yes, but mandate at a lower content percentage:	7%
Yes, it should be identical to Europe's system:	46%
138 Total Responses

Week of 7/8/2002 Q: What recyclables are you considering adding to the material you presently collect/process/broker?
Electronic Scrap:	25%
Paper:	17%
Nonferrous Metals:	12%
Ferrous Metals:	4%
Plastics:	10%
Wood/C&D Material:	8%
Other Materials:	3%
I don't plan on adding materials.:	20%
89 Total Responses

Week of 6/23/2002 Q: Do you see markets for recyclables strengthening through the rest of the year?
Yes, strong growth:	37%
Yes, modest improvement:	4%
Steady, stable markets through end of year:	3%
Slight decline through end of year:	4%
Significant decline through rest of year:	52%
869 Total Responses

Week of 6/10/2002 Q: What recyclable commodity has the best upside through the rest of this year?
Ferrous Metals:	15%
Nonferrous Metals:	14%
Paper/Paperboard:	27%
Plastics:	15%
Electronics:	15%
Tires/Rubber:	7%
Glass:	4%
Other Materials:	4%
161 Total Responses

Week of 6/10/2002 Q: Do you plan on increasing your business outside North America over the next 18 months? If yes, what
Yes, more to Asian market:	47%
Yes, more to Latin American market:	5%
Yes, more to European market:	11%
Yes, other regions:	4%
Unsure:	8%
No:	25%
73 Total Responses

Week of 5/27/2002 Q: What non-ferrous metal do you see showing the best upside improvement in 2002?
Aluminum :	46%
Copper:	13%
Zinc:	6%
Nickel:	6%
Titanium:	18%
Platinum:	10%
98 Total Responses

Week of 5/6/2002 Q: Will consolidation in the scrap recycling industry increase over the next 18 months?
Yes:	63%
No:	25%
Not Sure:	12%
169 Total Responses

Week of 4/26/2002 Q: Do you feel single-stream collection of recyclables will grow in acceptance/usage?
Yes, strong growth:	33%
Yes, moderate growth:	18%
About the Same:	5%
No, slight decrease:	7%
No, significant decrease:	26%
Unsure:	11%
154 Total Responses

Week of 4/15/2002 Q: What economic indicator do you watch most closely?
Consumer Price Index:	19%
Inflation Rate:	7%
Inventory levels:	10%
Commodity-specific indices:	10%
Unemployment rates:	19%
Housing Starts:	15%
Other:	19%
68 Total Responses

Week of 4/13/2002 Q: Do you plan on increasing your business outside North America over the next year? If yes, Where?
Yes, more to Asian market, especially China:	0
Yes, more to Latin American market::	0
Yes, more to European market::	0
Yes, to other untapped regions:	0
No, I plan to stay on the domestic market:	0
Not Sure:	0
1 Total Responses

Week of 4/1/2002 Q: Are you seeing a change in the generation of new recyclable material?
Significant decline in generation:	9%
Modest decline in generation:	6%
Basically unchanged:	12%
Slight increase in the generation:	17%
Sharp increase in the generation:	22%
Not sure:	34%
121 Total Responses

Week of 3/15/2002 Q: What is the primary activity you use the Internet for?
Reading News:	19%
Buying/Selling Products and Services:	10%
Research:	46%
Non-work related activities:	7%
Commodity Information:	7%
Meetings and Events:	12%
136 Total Responses

Week of 2/25/2002 Q: Where do you see recycling markets through the next six months?
Down slightly from existing levels:	8%
Modest improvement from existing levels:	30%
Up significantly from present levels:	12%
Down significantly:	5%
Basically unchanged:	13%
I don't know::	33%
132 Total Responses

Week of 1/29/2002 Q: What steps is your company taking to improve its business?
Handling more diverse types of material:	21%
Scaling back materials handled:	7%
Extending market region:	12%
Narrowing focus/market region:	7%
Buying more efficient equipment:	26%
Reducing staff:	14%
None of the above:	14%
43 Total Responses

Week of 1/13/2002 Q: By what percentage did your company's total revenues increase/decrease in the past year?
Increased more than 10%:	34%
Increased between 0-10%:	8%
Unchanged:	2%
Declined between 0-10%:	10%
Declined more than 10%:	37%
Unsure:	8%
59 Total Responses

Week of 12/30/2001 Q: What recyclable are you most interested in?
Ferrous Metals:	11%
Non-ferrous Metals:	14%
Recovered Paper:	28%
Plastics:	14%
Electronics:	10%
Construction & Demolition:	5%
Rubber/Tires:	13%
Other Materials:	5%
213 Total Responses

Week of 12/10/2001 Q: Will mergers reducing metal producing and papermaking capacity improve pricing for scrap material?
Yes, long-term:	25%
Yes, short-term:	9%
It will have no effect:	24%
They will suppress prices:	42%
67 Total Responses

Week of 11/19/2001 Q: What role will brokers play in the next three years in the recycling industry?
More essential in connecting parties:	14%
Role will remain unchanged:	13%
Be more involved with operating in niche markets:	13%
Become more involved in added services :	11%
Will play less of a role in the recycling industry:	48%
90 Total Responses

Week of 11/5/2001 Q: Are you currently experiencing more difficulty when working with local/state governments?
Yes, zoning is more difficult:	38%
Yes, environmental regs more stringent :	13%
Yes, eminent domain is a threat:	10%
No, relationship with public sector is fine:	38%
52 Total Responses

Week of 10/22/2001 Q: How much scrap metal will be generated by American manufacturers five years from now?
More:	27%
Significantly More:	25%
About the Same:	13%
Slightly Less:	22%
Much Less:	13%
134 Total Responses

Week of 10/8/2001 Q: How much do you plan on spending on new or reconditioned equipment in 2002?
More than $250,000:	37%
Between $125,000-$250,000:	11%
Between $75,000-$125,000:	9%
Between $25,000-$75,000:	6%
Less than $25,000:	15%
No purchases planned:	22%
65 Total Responses

Week of 9/24/2001 Q: When do you feel markets for recyclables will show a significant turnaround?
Within 3 months:	19%
Between 3-6 months:	14%
Between 6-9 months:	11%
Between 9-12 months:	9%
Longer than one year:	46%
149 Total Responses

Week of 9/3/2001 Q: What strategies are you taking to manage your business during a prolonged market slump?
Scaling back operations or laying off staff:	20%
Investing in more efficient equipment:	24%
Taking advantage of market conditions by growing:	28%
Diversifying into other business/ventures:	28%
46 Total Responses

Week of 8/20/2001 Q: Will plastic bottles continue to take market share away from aluminum beverage cans?
Yes, rapidly:	31%
Yes, slowly:	50%
No, it will hold steady:	14%
No, Aluminum will take market share away from plas:	6%
101 Total Responses

Week of 8/2/2001 Q: Is it economically viable to recycle computer equipment and/or electronic scrap?
Yes:	68%
No:	9%
Sometimes:	22%
85 Total Responses

Week of 7/20/2001 Q: Which of the following has most hampered your profitability over the past 12 months?
Low Commodity Prices:	66%
Energy Costs:	11%
Regulatory Compliance Costs:	1%
Slow Inventory Turnaround:	4%
Decrease in Generation of New Material:	17%
70 Total Responses

Week of 7/7/2001 Q: Where do you see the ferrous scrap market through the end of this year?
Down slightly from existing levels:	15%
Modest improvement from existing levels:	28%
Up significantly from present levels:	27%
Basically unchanged:	22%
I don't know:	7%
81 Total Responses

Week of 6/18/2001 Q: What do you think is the future of e-commerce and recycling
Online trading of materials:	25%
Customer service:	50%
Online contract/delivery tracking:	25%
8 Total Responses