Equal Opportunity, Unequal Results: Determinants of Household Recycling Intensity

Examined the underlying factors that influence household recycling intensity when program conditions (curbside collection) are standardized. A mail-back survey was used to obtain information on public solid waste diversion behaviors, motivations, policy perceptions, and environmental attitudes of 673 households in 4 communities within the Greater Toronto Area. Analysis revealed several salient factors that distinguish active recyclers from those with lower levels of material recovery, including individual motivations for recycling, attitudes toward the solid waste problem and strategies to address it, the range of other waste diversion actions adopted, and certain environmental attitudes. The findings suggest potential social marketing and program changes to stimulate household recycling, improvement integral for progress toward promulgated provincial and state solid waste diversion goals.