Household Waste in Social Perspective Values, Attitudes, Situation and Behaviour

The principal barrier to the introduction of more sustainable disposal methods has previously been thought to be the lack of both available knowledge and an awareness of the benefits and ease of these systems. Illustrated by an in-depth analysis of waste reduction, reuse and recycling behaviour in Exeter, Devon, this volume questions these assumptions. It not only provides a fresh examination of the previous (mainly US-focused) research into the underlying determinants of waste management behaviour from a geographical perspective, but also develops a new theoretical model based on the Theory of Reasoned Action. Linking three broad categories: environmental values, situational characteristics and psychological factors, the book provides a timely evaluation of research on household waste management, develops an original analytical model and demonstrates the utility and importance of focusing on individual attitudes.

Contents: Introduction: the waste problem in social perspective; The social-psychological perspective I: environmental values and attitudes; The social - psychological perspective II: structure and situation; The social-psychological perspective III: psychological influences; Social psychological models of waste behaviour: conceptualizing action; The Exeter study I: data collection and description; The Exeter study II: multivariate analyses; A framework for advancing theory and policy?; Conclusion: household waste in social perspective; Bibliography.

Stewart Barr, Department of Geography, University of Exeter, UK