Determinants of Participation in Multi-Family Recycling Programs

Investigated the determinants of recycling in multifamily residences by administering a questionnaire to 191 residents of buildings where recycling collection systems had been installed. The level of tenant participation, defined by a composite index of self-reported usage, was positively associated with income, education, recycling motivation, and cleanliness of the recycling system. Participation was negatively associated with the number of different types of collection containers. Participation varied considerably between the complexes. Differences were largely accounted for in terms of the user friendliness of the recycling system, its spatial location within the complex, and the degree to which the manager supported the program.