What Makes a Recycler?

Abstract

Knowledge and motivational factors represent important but neglected topics in the study of recycling behavior. This article examines differences in knowledge, motives, and demographic characteristics of people who have the opportunity to recycle voluntarily. Information on these variables was obtained for 197 households in Illinois. The results indicated that recyclers in general were more aware of publicity about recycling and more knowledgeable about materials that were recyclable in the local area and the means for recycling these materials than were nonrecyclers. While both recyclers and nonrecyclers were motivated by concerns for the environment, non-recyclers were more concerned with financial incentives to recycle, rewards for recycling, and with matters of personal convenience. Few demographic characteristics distinguished recyclers from nonrecyclers.

The Psycho-Spatial Dimension of Global Environmental Problems

“…The difficulty faced by governments and environmental groups who wish to raise public awareness of the seriousness of global environmental problems, and more importantly, to do something about them is that most global environmental problems such as the destruction of the ozone layer and global warming are regarded as impersonal, indirect and long-term. Vining and Ebro (1990) assert that it is only worthwhile investigating local environmental knowledge as people display difficulties in understanding and assimilating complex, distant problems. Zube (1991) argues for the importance of studying how people perceive and interact with the environment at a local level because it is at this level people function and exist in most meaningful ways.…”

Social Factors Influencing Household Solid Waste Minimisation

“…Generally, the more knowledge a household has about recycle materials and their impact on the natural world, the more likely they will practice it, [26]. S. Oskamp et al, (1991) noted that recycling behaviour may also be affected by lack of knowledge about environmental issues .People who showed higher knowledge and concerns about the environment and recycle, have higher levels of participation with recycling, [34], [27], [6], [31].…”

Environmental Concern Behaviours in Africa: An Exploratory Study

“…not being environmentally-conscious) will have future impacts on society and on quality of life. This has resulted in development of recycling and waste reduction programmes in various communities (Schahn & Holzer, 1990;Vining & Ebreo, 1990). Many people are prepared to commit to improving the environment, but in general, people "actually do very fairly little and know even less" (McGuiness et al, 1977, p. 376).…”

“…Research has indicated that environmental behaviours are carried out by many different groups of people, motivated by different factors (Corraliza & Berenguer, 2000;Fraj & Martinez, 2006;Kok & Siero, 1985;Oskamp et al, 1991;Van Liere & Dunlap, 1978;Vining & Ebreo, 1990). Studies have investigated the various factors influencing specific environmental behaviours.…”

“…Studies have investigated the various factors influencing specific environmental behaviours. Differences between groups involved in environmental behaviour (specifically focused on recycling) have been found in a number of different areas including knowledge (Vining & Ebreo, 1990) demographic factors such as income and gender (Vining & Ebreo, 1990), and the knowledge of the importance of recycling as an activity (Vining & Ebreo 1990). Other studies have Grob, 1995;Guagnano et al, 1995).…”