Predicting green product consumption using theory of planned behavior and reasoned action

The aim of the present study was to examine further the role that self-identity plays in the theory of planned behaviour and, more specifically, to: (1) examine the combined effects of self-identity and social identity constructs on intention and behaviour, and (2) examine the effects of self-identity as a function of past experience of performing the behaviour. The study was concerned with the prediction of intention to engage in household recycling and reported recycling behaviour. A sample of 143 community residents participated in the study. It was prospective in design: measures of the predictors and intention were obtained at the first wave of data collection, whereas behaviour was assessed two weeks later. Selfidentity significantly predicted behavioural intention, a relationship that was not dependent on the extent to which the behaviour had been performed in the past. As expected, there was also evidence that the perceived norm of a behaviourally relevant reference group was related to behavioural intention, but only for participants who identified strongly with the group, whereas the relationship between perceived behavioural control (a personal factor) and intention was strongest for low identifiers.

The theory of planned behaviour: Self identity, social identity, and group norms

New mandatory household recycling targets present a serious challenge to UK Local Authorities (LAs). The key to achieving these targets is participation by households in waste management and recycling schemes. However, for these schemes to be successful, they must be based on a thorough understanding of householder attitudes to recycling, and their perceptions of the barriers to recycling. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), which provides a theoretical framework for systematically identifying the determinants of recycling behaviour, was used as the basis for a study of 191 participants in a local kerbside recycling scheme. The findings suggest that pro-recycling attitudes are the major contributor to recycling behaviour, and that these attitudes are influenced firstly, by having the appropriate opportunities, facilities and knowledge to recycle, and secondly by not being deterred by the issues of physically recycling (for example time, space and inconvenience). Previous recycling experience, and a concern for the community and the consequences of recycling are also significant predictors of recycling behaviour. The implications of the findings for the development and implementation of recycling schemes and for marketing and communication campaigns which advocate the use of these schemes are discussed.

Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to investigate the determinants of recycling behaviour: a case study from Brixworth, UK

Recent trends in biodegradable polymers indicate significant developments in terms of novel design strategies and engineering to provide advanced polymers with comparably good performance. However, there are several inadequacies in terms of either technology or cost of production especially in the case of applications in environmental pollution. So, there is a need to have a fresh perspective on the design, properties and functions of these polymers with a view to developing strategies for future developments. The paper reviews the present state-of-art on biodegradable polymers and discusses the salient features of the design and properties of biodegradable polymers. Special emphasis is given to the problems and prospects of (1) approaches adopted to make non-biodegradable synthetic polymers such as polyethylene biodegradable and (2) biodegradable polymers and copolymers made from renewable resources especially poly(lactic acid) based polymers and copolymers which are emerging as the candidate biodegradable materials for the future.

Biodegradable Polymers- A Review on Recent Trends and Emerging Perspectives

An overview of landfill leachate treatment via activated carbon adsorption process

In 1990 the UK Government introduced a ‘challenging target of recycling 50% of household waste by the end of the century’. However, the success of local authority recycling programmes is reliant upon the participation of residents in the services provided. Traditional approaches (including leaflet drops and newspaper adverts) to communicating local authority services to the public have generally provided long-term educational benefits without offering the necessary short-term gains required to achieve the UK recycling target. In an attempt to increase low public awareness and participation the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea decided that effective promotion, through a door-to-door communications strategy, was the only means available to increase recycling tonnage and public participation in their doorstep recycling service. The Recycling Roadshow was launched to bring the recycling service and its message of ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ to every doorstep in the borough. This awareness campaign has increased average weekly recycling tonnage from 107 to 132 tonnes, and this success is attributed to greater participation resulting from the promotional activities of the Roadshow and more effective participation with residents recycling a greater range of their household materials. Clearly the Roadshow is a useful additional marketing tool, which conceptually marks a major rethink in the way that recycling is perceived, placing recycling at the heart of an integrated waste management strategy. The research suggests that this style of communication can form a central and cost-effective approach to raising public participation, and supportive data will be presented in this paper. The details of the programme, the Borough’s decisions prior to and during the implementation of this programme, its impact and long-term success will be analysed in more detail within this paper.

“A weekly doorstep recycling collection, I had no idea we could!”: Overcoming the local barriers to participation

Many UK local authorities, looking to meet their regulatory recycling targets, have opted for voluntary kerbside collection schemes for source segregated recyclables from households. The success of a recycling service is highly dependant on the number of people who participate in the service and the frequency of its use. High participation rates are therefore an essential component of any effective kerbside collection scheme. It is commonly accepted that recycling behaviour is strongly influenced and motivated by personal opinions as well as external issues such as access and convenience. This paper characterises the recycling attitudes within West Oxfordshire, UK, and compares them with the results from a previous study conducted during 2003 in Brixworth, in Daventry, UK. From 1st April 2004, West Oxfordshire District Council, expanded its kerbside collection scheme for dry recyclables, adding cardboard, batteries, aerosols and mixed plastics to the already collected recyclables (paper, glass, textiles and metals) and increasing the frequency from fortnightly to weekly In this study, the recycling attitudes and behaviour of a cross-sectional socio-economic sample from households from West Oxfordshire, is investigated. It is observed that the propensity to recycle varies between individuals and socio-economic areas, and that recycling is influenced by concern for future generations, the need to bury less waste in landfills, and the fact that recycling saves resources and protects the environment. The results from this study can be used to help inform local authorities who are considering the development of their recycling schemes and associated promotional campaigns based on an understanding of their socio-demographic profile.

Demonstrating the need for the development of internal research capacity: Understanding recycling participation using the Theory of Planned Behaviour in West Oxfordshire, UK

This paper explores some of the current waste reduction promotion/publicity material, and the education and information policies provided by Local Authorities, evaluating their effectiveness, and identifying any loopholes or omissions that exist in public awareness. The study was conducted in three local authorities in England: Luton Borough, Shepway District, and Sutton London Borough. The research involved contacting the Recycling Officers and 150 households in each of those authorities, and analysing all the available publicity regarding waste and its management. The results of these publicity campaigns are analysed in light of the survey findings and the authorities recycling practices.

Local Authority recycling and waste - awareness publicity/promotion

This paper summarises the results of two large-scale surveys of households in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in Greater London. The first, performed in 2000, covered 7500 households and the second, in 2004, 3250 households. Respondents provided information on their use of the local authority's kerbside recycling scheme and ‘bring’ sites for recycled materials. In 2000, approximately half of the householders surveyed via face-to-face interviews claimed that they used the kerbside scheme and/or bring sites on a regular basis. This proportion had grown to 70% in 2004. Details of this usage are outlined, including consideration of stated reasons for non-participation in waste recycling activities and reasons for variation in recycling behaviour across the borough. The context for this research is the establishment of national and local authority targets for the amount of household waste to be recycled. Given widespread concern that these targets are not being met, the research project not only evaluated the effectiveness of the existing opportunities for householders in Kensington and Chelsea but also promoted participation in recycling. One effect of this promotion was an observable increase in the amount of waste for recycling following both surveys. A key conclusion is that large-scale house-to-house publicity of local recycling opportunities has a demonstrable positive effect, but that for current targets to be met more householders need to be convinced of the need to recycle.

Recycling behaviour in a London Borough: Results from large-scale household surveys

Towns and cities in Cameroon exhibit the burdens of waste management which characterise so many African cities. Several factors including inadequate financial resources, low levels of enforcement of regulations and poor governance often lead to poor solid waste management services. This paper presents a critical analysis of the state of solid waste management regulations in Cameroon and constraints this places on the delivery of sustainable waste management solutions. A case study of the Limbe Municipal Council is used to highlight some of the waste management related problems in the country. Results indicate that solid waste management services are rudimentary; essentially collect and dump. Current regulations do not adequately address waste handling or disposal. There are inefficiencies in the implementation of waste management policy due to the devolved responsibilities between several governmental agencies and the local councils. The paper discusses some of these constraints and concludes with suggestions for improving the delivery of sustainable waste management solutions.

Adam D. Read

Papers

“A weekly doorstep recycling collection, I had no idea we could!”: Overcoming the local barriers to participation

Demonstrating the need for the development of internal research capacity: Understanding recycling participation using the Theory of Planned Behaviour in West Oxfordshire, UK

Local Authority recycling and waste - awareness publicity/promotion

Recycling behaviour in a London Borough: Results from large-scale household surveys

Waste management in Cameroon: A new policy perspective?