Despite the increasing attention being paid to waste recycling, there is a dearth of both empirical evidence on recycling at work and examination of any spillover effects of recycling behaviour from home to work. Situated at the confluence of three social science debates (the study of recycling set within the waste management literature; the examination of spillover in the social psychology literature, and the work on pro-environmental behaviour at work in the organisational behaviour literature), this research seeks to understand recycling at work and the relationship between recycling behaviour at home and recycling at work using a sequential mixed methods approach. Due to the complexity of human behaviours including the heterogeneity of the factors underpinning recycling, this research adopts a sequential mixed methods approach with its pragmatic philosophical assumptions to examine recycling at work. Initially, semi-structured interviews with 15 key informants from different organisations including environmental/waste organisations in the UK were conducted. The findings from the interviews were used along with the evidence from the literature to develop the conceptual model and the research hypotheses. The quantitative data were collected, using a web-based questionnaire survey, from 367 respondents representing 43 different organisations across the UK. The collected quantitative data were analysed using SPSS for windows and IBM AMOS for path and causal analyses. Based on the findings, this research demonstrates that contextual factors such as organisational support are better determinants of recycling at work than personality/psychological factors such as attitudes that have dominated empirical and theoretical studies on pro-environmental behaviours for decades. Also, the findings of this research suggest that the concept of spillover of recycling from home to work is complex and inconsistent. Whilst there is a tendency for spillover of recycling behaviour, there is a significant difference between recycling at home and at work with regards to the volume of materials, the range of materials, and frequency of recycling. Nonetheless, the PROCESS macro allows the identification of various conditions that are likely to facilitate spillover of recycling from home to work. As a result, factors that are likely to determine recycling at work including the possible spillover of recycling from home to work are classified into personal/psychological and situational factors. These findings contribute to the existing bodies of knowledge on recycling behaviour, spillover effects, and organisational citizenship behaviour for the environment (OCBE). Also, the findings could assist businesses in finding proactive measures to increase recycling within their organisations. This would consequently reduce the total amount of resources being disposed of in the UK landfill sites.

Background: Due to the fashion industry being one of the most polluting industries in the world with more clothing than ever being thrown away, attention has been brought to the need for more sustainable clothing behaviours. Therefore, the in-store recycling boxes have been introduced as an alternative for recycling. Previous literature has focused mainly on companies’ perspectives or consumers purchasing behaviours, hence there is a gap for literature on consumers’ disposal and recycling behaviours. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine what factors influence consumers’ intentions to use in-store recycling boxes. This will be done by applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour by Ajzen (1991). Method: A qualitative approach in terms of two focus groups and two individual interviews was applied. The study was made on the consumers’ perspectives, and therefore the participants were 11 Swedish female students. Conclusion: The empirical findings and analysis toward previous literature and theoretical framework revealed that the main factors influencing consumers’ intentions to use in-store recycling boxes are lack of information about the recycling process, the possibility to drop off damaged clothing, and the developing possibility to make new clothing out of recycled materials. The lack of information had the greatest impact, which was unfavourable toward the intention to perform the behaviour and hence obstructed the participants from using in-store recycling boxes.

As the environmental footprint of humans continue s to grow, and the amount of easily available resources keeps dwindling, many countries and institutions have turned towards the concept of circular economy as a way of diminishing their impact on the environment. Based in the idea of closing the resource loop by reducing the need for new resources, increasing efficiency, and reusing resources that are already extracted, many efforts have gone towards transforming our sys tem towards a circular economy. Unfortunately, recycling, identified as a vital part of the move towards circular economy, has been found to be less than optimal in many countries, despite efforts to improve the system. This study examines methods of improving environmental and recycling behaviour in the context of a university setting, the Blåsenhus campus of Uppsala University. Identifying barriers to remove and incentives to apply through a series of focus groups, this study then runs a trial period wher e measures are implemented. These include ads on the campus’ monitors, as well as posters indicating the benefits of recycling, as well as the impacts of failing to do so, information sheets clearly indicating how to recycle the most commonly misplaced ite ms, and the movement of certain bins to make recycling easier to access in relation to the burnables bins. The findings of this study are that the combined use of barrier removal along with the implementation of incentives, can be beneficial to the rates at which waste is recycled.

Separating household waste into fractions at source is a common method of household waste collection in most European countries. In 1994 Sweden introduced producer liability legislation for packaging, which requires householders to sort, clean and recycle different types of packaging waste. The recycling behaviour of householders is complex and diverse and has been widely investigated. However, the recycling behaviour of householders living in multicultural urban areas has received less attention. Therefore, little is known about the recycling behaviour and attitudes of the ethnic minorities that comprise a sizeable proportion of many urban populations. This thesis examined recycling behaviour among multicultural householders in the urban area of Järva, north-west Stockholm, Sweden, which is home to a significant proportion of immigrants from different parts of the world. Three practical studies were conducted on the recycling behaviour of householders, with data collected through literature reviews, field screening studies for relevant cases, postal surveys and in-depth interviews with householders. A meta-analysis of studies on householder recycling behaviour published in the period 1990-2010 provided a conceptual framework for explaining recycling behaviour. It also revealed some specific features of the determining factors of recycling behaviour among householders in multicultural urban areas. For example, despite self-reported high levels of environmental concern among multicultural respondents in Järva, recycling behaviour was not determined by this factor but by attitudes towards recycling. The data also showed that the most widespread reason for participating in recycling schemes was acceptance of legal norms. The interview study indicated that providing clear, understandable and easily accessible written information in ethnic languages, supported by “word-of-mouth” information, would probably increase participation by Järva householders in recycling schemes. However, lifestyle and the ethnic origins of householders also influenced their waste generation and recycling behaviour. The methodological improvements presented here can help develop future strategies targeted at increasing the waste management behaviour of the important multicultural urban group, while also ensuring that limited resources are effectively used. / La separación de la basura doméstica en fracciones en el lugar donde se genera es uno de los métodos más comunes de recogida en la mayoría de países europeos. En 1994 se introdujo una ordenanza en Suecia sobre la responsabilidad del productor en el empaquetado. Esta ordenanza encomienda a los habitantes de las viviendas a clasificar los residuos, limpiarlos y clasificarlos en diferentes tipos. El comportamiento hacia el reciclaje de los habitantes es complejo y diverso al igual que otros comportamientos mediombientales y ha sido investigado en numerosas ocasiones. Desafortunadamente, este comportamiento cara al reciclaje en áreas urbanas multiculturales ha recibido poca atención y se conoce poco sobre la actitud hacia el reciclaje de las minorías étnicas que forman parte de la población urbana de Suecia. Esta tesis examina el comportamiento hacia el reciclaje entre los habitantes de una zona urbana multicultural del Noroeste de Estocolmo, Järva, en Suecia, en la que residen una proporción significante de inmigrantes procedentes de diferentes partes del mundo. Se han llevado a cabo tres estudios prácticos sobre el comportamiento hacia el reciclaje incluyendo datos recogidos en la bibliografía revisada, estudios de campo en algunos casos relevantes, encuestas a través de correo ordinario y entrevistas en profundidad con los habitantes. Los resultado del meta-análisis realizado sobre la actitud hacia el reciclaje publicados durante el periodo 1990-2010 indican un marco conceptual para la explicación de las formas de reciclaje. Sin embargo, los resultados de nuestro estudio revelan algunas especificidades en factores sobre el reciclaje en los habitantes de zonas multiculturales. Nuestros datos demuestran que, a pesar de un elevado nivel de compromiso medioambiental según las respuestas de los habitantes de Järva, el reciclaje no está determinado por este factor. Al contrario, las actitudes hacia el reciclaje tienen una correlación positiva y determinan los comportamientos entre los habitantes de Järva. Se ha demostrado que la principal razón para reciclar es la legalidad vigente. Los resultados de las entrevistas sugieren que una oferta clara, comprensible y de fácil acceso redactada en las diferentes lenguas de los grupos étnicos al igual que apoyada por la información transmitida “boca a boca” influiría en la participación de los habitantes de Järva. Los resultados han puesto de manifiesto que el estilo de vida y la diversidad étnica de la población influyen en la generación de residuos y el reciclaje. Esta tesis contribuye a un desarrollo metodológico que será útil para el futuro desarrollo de estrategias orientadas en la gestión de residuos al igual que asegurar un uso eficiente de los recursos. / Разделение бытовых отходов является распространенным методом сбора бытовых отходов в большенстве европейских стран.  В 1994 году Швеция ввела законодательную ответственность производителей упаковки, которая включает требование раздельной сортировки упаковочного материяла населением для последующей ее переработки. Вопрос мотивации и участия населения в раздельном сборе бытовых отходов является сложным и многосторонним и был широко исследован. Тем не менее исследованию поведения и мотивации жителей многокультурных городских районов уделялось значительно меньше внимания. Мало что известо о мотивах участия в раздельном сборе бытовых отходов в отношении этнических меньшинств, которые составляют значительную часть городских мегаполисов. Данный тезис рассматривает мотивацию и участие населения в раздельном сборе бытовых отходов в многокультурном городском районе Järva, расположенном на северо-западе Стокгольма (Швеция). Järva  явлается домом для большого числа иммигрантов из разных частей мира. Было проделанно три исследования по изучению участия населения в раздельном сборе бытовых отходов. Данные были собраны с помощью обозрений опубликованной литературы, непосредственного изучения поведения населения, анкетирования и развернутых интервью. С помощью мета-анализа литературы опубликованной в период с 1990 по 2010 годы были выделены концептуальные основы для обьяснения участия населения в раздельном сборе бытовых отходов. Также были выявлени характерные черты определяющие мотивы для участия населения из многонациональных городских районов. Не смотря на выявленный высокий уровень экологической обеспокоенности среди населения многокультурного района  Järva, участие в раздельном сборе мусора не определяется этим фактором. Тогда как персональная мотивация по отношению к  вторичной переработки отходов является движущим фактором к участию. Наиболее распространенной причиной для участия в раздельном сборе отходов стало принятие населением многокультурного района правовых норм. Интервью показали, что доступность ясной, краткой информации на национальных языках, так же как и передающаяся 'из уст в уста' информация увеличивает процент участия населения в раздельном сборе отходов. Тем не менее образ жизни и этническое происхождение влияет на состав произведенных населением отходов и их отношение к вторичной переработке. Результаты проведенных исследований направленны на усовершенствование будущих стратегий по привлечению населения многокультурных городских районнов к участию в раздельном сборе отходов, а также обеспечение того, что бы ограниченные ресурсы были использованны эффективно. / <p>QC 20120927</p>

The aim of this study is to examine the main reasons for and obstacles to single family households sorting household waste. Focusing on a population between ages 35 and 45 and 65+, it also examines motivating factors, reasons, and obstacles to reduce total household waste. Worldwide, the problem of greenhouse gases and dioxins because of waste is still unresolved. The national environmental legislation state that everyone is responsible to handle their waste in a way that does not harm people or the environment. Previous investigations regarding waste, conducted by waste company Miva, situated in municipality of Örnsköldsvik, show that improvements can be done by the citizens. The current project involves a survey sent to 789 households and answered by 302. Results from the survey combined with eight telephone interviews showed the following: people sort their waste mainly for environmental reasons but sometimes they find it easier not to sort at all, often because of very dirty packaging or simply convenience. Both age groups have the will but do not experience the possibility to reduce their overall waste. Higher waste management cost does not motivate people to improve their recycling habits, but personal feedback seems to be an effective way to reach higher motivation. To reach further improvements and reduce waste the citizens of Örnsköldsvik might need to change their consumption habits and producers take their responsibility regarding packaging. Further research to what impacts consumer behaviour is needed.

As waste is separated at the source, the success of the Swedish recycling system largely depends on an active participation of households. However, especially young people were found to not consistently follow their local recycling schemes. A recent and promising approach to tackle such suboptimal household recycling behaviour (HRB) is the use of persuasive technology. To understand and further its context-specific potential, this research aims to explore the key elements of persuasive technology which aspires to promote sustainable household recycling behaviour among adults in Sweden. The chosen methodology is research through design. Based on the results of a literature review and online survey among target users (N=50), a mobile phone application was designed in an iterative manner. Through these activities, the following key elements were established: (1) easy access to information about optimal household recycling behaviour, (2) employment of several motivational strategies, (3) recognition of differences between local recycling schemes, (4) regard of users as equals and (5) use of a readily accessible technology channel. The impact of these elements depends on the users’ ability to carry out the target behaviour and therefore on a well-functioning recycling system. The technological format of persuasive technology interventions was found to spark the target users’ curiosity. Using this as a ‘carrot’, a well-designed content is argued to encourage repeated use and a reflection process to help break unsustainable household recycling habits. / Eftersom avfall separeras vid dess källa, beror Sveriges återvinningssystems framgång i stor utsträckning på aktivt deltagande hushåll. Studier har visat att särskilt unga inte följer lokala återvinningsrutiner på ett konsekvent sätt. Ett nytt och lovande tillvägagångssätt för att hantera detta suboptimala hushållsåtervinningsbeteende (English: household recycling behaviour (HRB)) är användningen av övertygande teknik. Syftet med denna studie är att utforska de viktigaste delarna av övertygande teknik som strävar till att främja ett hållbart hushållsåtervinningsbeteende hos vuxna i Sverige. Den valda metodiken är forskningsdriven design. Baserat på resultat från en litteraturstudie samt en online enkätundersökning fokuserad på målgruppen unga (N=50), designades en mobilapplikation genom ett iterativt tillvägagångssätt. Studien identifierade följande nyckelelement för en övertygande design i domänen: (1) Lättillgänglig information angående optimalt hushållsåtervinningsbeteende, (2) Användning av flera motivationsstrategier, (3) Identifiering av skillnader mellan lokala återvinningsrutiner, (4) Betrakta användare som jämställda och (5) Användning av lättillgänglig teknikkanal. Effekterna av dessa element är beroende av att användarna även har möjlighet att utföra den önskade sopsorteringen, och därför på ett välfungerande återvinningssystem. Designlösningen att använda sig av övertygande teknik i form av en app visade sig väcka målanvändarnas nyfikenhet. Studien visar att en väldesignad app kan fungera som en 'morot' för att uppmuntra användning över en längre tid, och skapa en reflektionsprocess som kan bryta ohållbara återvinningsvanor.