Inconsistency in waste recycling behavior: Place matters!

Research objectives. Research on individual household waste-sorting behavior rarely considers the role of place, even though this behavior varies across locations. This study therefore explores place-related factors that may explain inconsistencies in an individual's waste-sorting behavior depending on the context. Methodology / approach. Drawing on an integrated model of waste-sorting behavior and the theoretical framework of place attachment, this research is based on a qualitative study of 40 individuals interviewed about their waste-sorting practices in two personally meaningful places: their home and their workplace (or place of study). Results. The findings confirm that an individual's waste-sorting behavior differs from one place to another. These variations stem from the physical (configuration, aesthetics) and social characteristics of the place, as well as from the individual's personal connection to it (appropriation, familiarity, meanings, maintenance of proximity). These dimensions shape attitudes, perceived behavioral control, ascription of responsibility, norms, the affective evaluation of waste sorting, and ultimately influence waste-sorting behavior itself. Managerial / societal implications. The findings offer guidance for managers of places involved in waste management, helping them tailor waste-sorting incentives to the specific characteristics of each place. Originality. This research extends traditional approaches to waste sorting by incorporating the spatial and social characteristics of places, as well as the attachment individuals develop toward them.