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Examining recycling container attributes and household recycling practices

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  • Lane, Gordon W.S.
  • Wagner, Travis P.

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of recycling container attributes on household recycling practices in municipal recycling programs. While there is little in the academic literature on the specific relevance of container design on recycling programs, unpublished data and gray literature suggest factors such as container size, type, and color can impact recycling rates. Because municipal recycling program design decisions likely are based on unpublished data and gray literature—much in the form of municipal-level reports written by consultants—we review these sources and place them in the context of academic literature. Additionally, we present new data on current program designs from a nationwide survey of US municipal and county solid waste professionals. Anecdotes from the survey confirm findings of previously published studies that have correlated larger recycling containers and the use of wheeled recycling containers with greater recycling rates. However, data on the direct effect of each of these factors and container color remains elusive due to a lack of controlled studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Lane, Gordon W.S. & Wagner, Travis P., 2013. "Examining recycling container attributes and household recycling practices," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 32-40.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:75:y:2013:i:c:p:32-40
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.03.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jakus, Paul M. & Tiller, Kelly & Park, William M., 1997. "Explaining Rural Household Participation In Recycling," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 29(1), pages 1-8, July.
    2. Martin, M. & Williams, I.D. & Clark, M., 2006. "Social, cultural and structural influences on household waste recycling: A case study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 48(4), pages 357-395.
    3. Amy W. Ando & Anne Y. Gosselin, 2005. "Recycling in Multifamily Dwellings: Does Convenience Matter?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 43(2), pages 426-438, April.
    4. Hilary Nixon & Jean-Daniel Saphores, 2009. "Information and the decision to recycle: results from a survey of US households," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(2), pages 257-277.
    5. Sidique, Shaufique F. & Lupi, Frank & Joshi, Satish V., 2010. "The effects of behavior and attitudes on drop-off recycling activities," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(3), pages 163-170.
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    Cited by:

    1. Waite, Steve & Cox, Paul & Tudor, Terry, 2015. "Strategies for local authorities to achieve the EU 2020 50% recycling, reuse and composting target: A case study of England," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PA), pages 18-28.
    2. Klaiman, Kimberly & Ortega, David L. & Garnache, Cloé, 2016. "Consumer preferences and demand for packaging material and recyclability," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 1-8.
    3. Willman, Kenneth W., 2015. "Information sharing and curbside recycling: A pilot study to evaluate the value of door-to-door distribution of informational literature," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 162-171.

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