Load of Rubbish! An investigation into the changing attitudes and behaviour towards voluntary recycling with particular reference to kerbside recycling

Abstract

With ever increasing environmental concern, a high emphasis has been
placed on recycling as a way in which everybody can contribute towards a
better environment, not just for themselves but for future generations too.
This emphasis has since seen Local Authorities (LA’s) becoming
responsible for the awareness and participation of recycling within their
areas. It has been argued that the recycling efforts of households renders
insignificant when considering the small amount of waste they produce.
However, recently this opinion has changed somewhat when it emerged
that households can indeed make a considerable difference towards
cutting energy use and protecting the environment by increasing their
recycling efforts. In a bid to increase these efforts, studies have been
conducted to assess the barriers to participation of recycling schemes and
efforts therein. This investigation aims to examine whether or not there
has been a change in the attitudes and recycling efforts of the public since
the widespread implementation of kerbside recycling schemes. Further to
this the reasons for any changes in attitude and behaviour were gauged,
and in addition how the respondents’ actions differed from before the
schemes were introduced. A total of 129 people responded to a
questionnaire designed to assess the aims of the investigation with a
65.5% response rate. From the results obtained, it was concluded that
there were two clear groups: recyclers and non recyclers. The principle
barriers to participation of recycling schemes included a lack of time and
awareness of such schemes. It was also established that the majority of
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respondents felt their Local Authority (LA) should do more to encourage
recycling efforts. Overall the majority of the respondents indicated that
they did have an interest in recycling but it was not helped by their LA.
Implementation of kerbside recycling has effected a change in attitude
towards recycling but had a less of an impact on recycling efforts than was
first anticipated.