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Justifications and self-organization as determinants of recycling behavior: The case of used batteries

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  • Hansmann, Ralf
  • Bernasconi, Petra
  • Smieszek, Timo
  • Loukopoulos, Peter
  • Scholz, Roland W.

Abstract

Much previous research on recycling behavior has drawn heavily on models of personal and perceived social norms, as well as of personal attitudes, to explain recycling behavior. Although such models have received empirical support, the issue concerning discrepancies between norms, personal attitudes and an individual's behavior is yet to be resolved. Using battery recycling in Switzerland as a case in point, the present questionnaire-based research examines via regression analyses the relationship between self-reported recycling behavior and socio-demographic variables, attitudes towards ecologically positive waste disposal, trust in waste disposal authorities, specific knowledge concerning recycling, justifications for not participating in the recycling scheme, self-organization of recycling behavior, and level of battery consumption. It was found that recycling knowledge, self-organization of recycling, and disagreement with justifications for non-recycling were positively related to recycling behavior, while attitudes towards ecological waste disposal and trust in waste disposal authorities were not directly related to respondents’ self-reported battery recycling behavior. On the basis of these results, with reference to Sykes and Matza's Neutralization theory [Sykes GM, Matza D. Techniques of neutralization: a theory of delinquency. Am Sociol Rev 1957:22(6):664–70] a contextualized model of recycling behavior is proposed. This model is able to account for inconsistencies between personal attitudes and perceived social norms, and has practical implications for the design of public intervention strategies for enhancing participation in the recycling.

Suggested Citation

  • Hansmann, Ralf & Bernasconi, Petra & Smieszek, Timo & Loukopoulos, Peter & Scholz, Roland W., 2006. "Justifications and self-organization as determinants of recycling behavior: The case of used batteries," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 47(2), pages 133-159.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:47:y:2006:i:2:p:133-159
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2005.10.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Annegrete Bruvoll & Karine Nyborg, 2002. "On the value of households' recycling efforts," Discussion Papers 316, Statistics Norway, Research Department.
    2. Hornik, Jacob & Cherian, Joseph & Madansky, Michelle & Narayana, Chem, 1995. "Determinants of recycling behavior: A synthesis of research results," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 105-127.
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    5. Robinson, Guy M. & Read, Adam D., 2005. "Recycling behaviour in a London Borough: Results from large-scale household surveys," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 70-83.
    6. Teresa Smallbone, 2005. "How can domestic households become part of the solution to England's recycling problems?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(2), pages 110-122, March.
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    1. Hansmann, Ralf & Loukopoulos, Peter & Scholz, Roland W., 2009. "Characteristics of effective battery recycling slogans: A Swiss field study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 218-230.
    2. Schill, Marie & Shaw, Deirdre, 2016. "Recycling today, sustainability tomorrow: Effects of psychological distance on behavioural practice," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 349-362.
    3. Saphores, Jean-Daniel M. & Ogunseitan, Oladele A. & Shapiro, Andrew A., 2012. "Willingness to engage in a pro-environmental behavior: An analysis of e-waste recycling based on a national survey of U.S. households," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 49-63.
    4. Wan, Calvin & Shen, Geoffrey Qiping & Yu, Ann, 2014. "The role of perceived effectiveness of policy measures in predicting recycling behaviour in Hong Kong," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 141-151.
    5. Elena Borasino & Hanna Fuhrmann-Riebel, 2022. "New Kids on the Recycling Block: the Role of Supermarkets and Bodegas for Sustainable Consumer Behaviour in Lima," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(3), pages 857-881, September.

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