Who Recycles and When? A Review of Personal and Situational Factors

Schultz, P. W., Oskamp, S., & Mainieri, T. (1995). Who recycles and when? A review of personal and situational factors. Journal of Enviornmental Psychology, 15, 2, 105-121.

Reviews 80 studies, published 1969-1995, to examine recyling behaviors as differentiated from attitudes and intentions. The effects on recycling behavior of both personal variables (personality, demographics, and attitudes of environmental concern) and situational variables (prompts, public commitment, normative influence, goal setting, removing barriers, providing rewards, and feedback) are considered. High income, but not gender or age, was a good predictor of recycling. All situational variables produce significant increases in recycling behavior.

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