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On the relationship between set-out rates and participation ratios as a tool for enhancement of kerbside household waste recycling

Shaw, Peter J., Lyas, Joanne K., Maynard, Jon, Van Vugt, Mark (2007) On the relationship between set-out rates and participation ratios as a tool for enhancement of kerbside household waste recycling. Journal of Environmental Management, 83 (1). pp. 34-43. ISSN 0301-4797. (doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.01.012) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:2306)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.01.012

Abstract

Although the use of kerbside recycling facilities by householders is often key to the reduction of materials disposed of to landfill, the quantitative assessment of householders' recycling behaviour is problematic. This study introduces a method to diagnose recycling behaviour by assessing kerbside scheme use in terms of the set-out of recyclate containers compared to the proportion of households participating in recycling (participation ratio). Application of numerical behaviour models demonstrated that kerbside recycling in sampled regions of the UK tends to be consistent with householders using kerbside schemes more frequently than would be observed with random patterns of use that are uniform amongst all householders. When aggregated to collection rounds, householders' modal recycling behaviour tended towards either non-participation or frequent participation. We propose that initiatives to enhance kerbside recycling should employ such quantitative assessments of recycling behavioural modes to inform and guide promotional and educational strategies. A conceptual model for prioritizing campaigns to promote recycling at the kerbside on the basis of identifiable and quantifiable patterns of householder recycling behaviour is presented.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.01.012
Uncontrolled keywords: recycling; set-out; participation; performance
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Suzanne Duffy
Date Deposited: 18 Mar 2008 17:50 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:41 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/2306 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Van Vugt, Mark.

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