I'm pleased someone is doing this research and look forward to seeing the results shared on the list. Thank you for taking on this huge task!!
Not only to we want people to be triggered to participate, but we want whatever triggers them to be something that results in permanent change, instead of temporary action as a result of some short-term stimulus. My suspicion is that what motivates people to recycle is the same thing that motivates them to change any other behavior. I wonder if perhaps the thing that triggers us, ultimately, is a change in a value. I agree that the question becomes/is complex. A friend and I decided that one influence is related to the role of material culture in our lives/society; which connects to consumption and discard patterns. One research area to explore is the work anthropologists, archaeologists, and sociologists have done. Their research may provide more satisfying results than the typical surveys we do as "recycling coordinators". If I find anything, I'll be sure to share it!
Best Wishes,
Rebecca Brown
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Sheehan [mailto:zerowaste@grrn.org]
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 6:34 AM
To: GreenYesL
Subject: [GreenYes] Research Request: What motivates people to recycle?
[forwarded from a colleague; respond to list:]
I am looking for literature that quantitatively addresses the
question, "What motivates people to recycle?"
That is, to what extent can monetary incentives, convenience,
environmental awareness, etc. be expected to trigger
participation in recycling programs? I realize this question
quickly becomes complex and that objective answers are
ellusive. I want to review the literature on how researchers
have attempted to answer it and what kind of conclusions
they've reached.