Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-lj6df Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T10:31:29.909Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Factors Associated with Backyard Composting Behavior at the Household Level

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2016

William M. Park ,
Kevin S. Lamons  and
Roland K. Roberts
William M. Park
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kevin S. Lamons
Affiliation:
National Agricultural Statistics Service, Athens, Georgia
Roland K. Roberts
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Get access

Abstract

Communities in most states are under pressure to reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills. Many are making efforts to encourage their citizens to practice backyard composting. A logit regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with backyard composting of yard and food wastes in a case study area. Sample data were obtained through a September 1997 telephone survey of 865 households residing in single-family dwellings in Knox County, Tennessee. Findings indicate that a number of variables reflecting complementary behavior, attitudes, knowledge, and peer influence were significantly related to composting behavior. Policy implications of these findings are outlined.

Keywords

compostingfood wastesolid wasteyard waste
Type
Articles
Information
Agricultural and Resource Economics Review , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , October 2002 , pp. 147 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © 2002 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Applied Compost Consulting. (1996, May). “Cost-Benefit Analysis of Home Composting Programs in the U.S.” The Composting Council, Alexandria, VA. Google Scholar
Bagby, J., and Tarnecki, T. (2001, August). “Testing Feasibility of Household Food Residuals Diversion.” BioCycle 42, 43–45.Google Scholar
Bratt, C. (1999, September). “The Impact of Norms and Assumed Consequences on Recycling Behavior.” Environment and Behavior 31, 630–656.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cobern, Μ., Porter, B., Leeming, F., and Dwyer, W. (1995, March). “The Effect of Commitment on Adoption and Diffusion of Grass Cycling.” Environment and Behavior 27, 213–232.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DeYoung, R. (1996). “Some Psychological Aspects of Reduced Consumption Behavior: The Role of Intrinsic Satisfaction and Competence Motivation.” Environment and Behavior 28, 358–409.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DeYoung, R. (2000). “Expanding and Evaluating Motives for Environmentally Responsible Behavior.” Journal of Social Issues 56, 509–526.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duggal, V. G., Saltzman, C., and Williams, M. L. (1991, July-September). “Recycling: An Economic Analysis.” Eastern Economic Journal 17, 351–358.Google Scholar
Epp, D. J., and Mauger, P. C. (1989, April). “Attitudes and Household Characteristics Influencing Solid Waste Generation: A Household Garbage Analysis.” Northeastern Journal of Agricultural Economics 18, 46–51.Google Scholar
Ewing, G. (2001, November). “Altruistic, Egoistic, and Normative Effects on Curbside Recycling.” Environment and Behavior 33, 733–764.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Farrell, M. (2000, April). “Bin Promotions Move Leaves from Curb to Backyard.” BioCycle 41, 76.Google Scholar
Farrell, M. (2001, March). “Evaluating Residential Organics Collection Pilot.” BioCycle 42, 34–37.Google Scholar
Foseid, J. (2001, March). “Satisfying Demand for Backyard Compost Bins.” BioCycle 42, 38.Google Scholar
Fullerton, D., and Kinnaman, T. C. (1994, January). “Household Demand for Garbage and Recycling Collection with the Start of a Price per Bag.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Allied Social Sciences Association, Boston, MA.Google Scholar
Godbey, G., Lifset, R., and Robinson, J. (1998, Spring). “No Time to Waste: An Exploration of Time Use, Attitudes Toward Time, and the Generation of Municipal Solid Waste.” Social Research 65, 101–117.Google Scholar
Goldstein, N., and Madtes, C. (2001, December). “The State of Garbage.” BioCycle 42, 42–54.Google Scholar
Granzin, K. L., and Olsen, J. E. (1991). “Characterizing Participants in Activities Protecting the Environment: A Focus on Donating, Recycling, and Conservation Behaviors.” Journal of Public Policy and Marketing 10, 1–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Greene, W. H. (1990). Econometric Analysis. London: Macmillan Publishing Co.Google Scholar
Hong, S., Adams, R. M., and Love, H. A. (1993). “An Economic Analysis of Household Recycling of Solid Wastes.” Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 25, 136–146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jakus, P. M., Tiller, K. J., and Park, W. M. (1996, July). “Generation of Recyclables by Rural Households.” Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 21, 96–108.Google Scholar
Jakus, P. M., Tiller, K. J., and Park, W. M. (1997, July). “Explaining Rural Household Participation in Recycling.” Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 29, 141–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jones, R. (1989–1990). “Understanding Paper Recycling in an Institutionally Supportive Setting: An Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action.” Journal of Environmental Systems 19, 307–321.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leighton, L. (1999, October). “Backyard Bins Generate Enthusiastic Response.” BioCycle 40, 50–52.Google Scholar
Morris, G. E., and Holthausen, D. M. (1994). “The Economics of Household Solid Waste Generation and Disposal.” Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 26, 215–234.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oskamp, S., Harrington, M. J., Edwards, T. C., Sherwood, D. L., Okuda, S. M., and Swanson, D. C. (1991). “Factors Influencing Household Recycling Behavior.” Environment and Behavior 23, 494–519.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pick, S. (1999, June). “Bin There … Done That … and Residents Love It.” BioCycle 40, 42–43.Google Scholar
Porter, B., Leeming, F., and Dwyer, W. (1995, March). “Solid Waste Recovery: A Review of Behavioral Programs to Increase Recycling.” Environment and Behavior 27, 122–152.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riggle, D. (1996a, April). “Attitudes and Household Characteristics Influencing Solid Waste Generation: A Household Garbage Analysis” BioCycle 37, 48–52.Google Scholar
Riggle, D. (1996b, December). “The State of Garbage” BioCycle 37, 63–64.Google Scholar
Scott, D. (1999, March). “Equal Opportunity, Unequal Results.” Environment and Behavior 31, 267–290.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sherman, S. (1996a, June). “Bin There … Done That … and Residents Love It” Resource Recycling 15, 28–34.Google Scholar
Sherman, S. (1996b, August). “Backyard Composting: Eight Case Studies” Resource Recycling 15, 18–26.Google Scholar
Shultz, P. W., and Oskamp, S. (1996). “Effort as a Moderator of the Attitude-Behavior Relationship: General Environmental Concern and Recycling.” Social Psychology Quarterly 59, 375–383.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Skumatz, L. A. (1996, October). “Nationwide Diversion Rate Study—Quantitative Effects of Program Choices on Recycling and Green Waste Diversion: Beyond Case Studies.” Skumatz Economic Research Associates, Inc., Seattle, WA. Google Scholar
Skumatz, L. A. (2000, May). “Measuring Source Reduction: Pay as You Throw/Variable Rates as an Example.” Skumatz Economic Research Associates, Inc., Seattle, WA. Google Scholar
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (1999, July). “Organic Materials Management Strategies.” Publication No. EPA 530-R-99-016, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Various municipal facts, solid waste. Online website. Available at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/facts.htm. [Accessed May 31, 2002.]Google Scholar
Vining, J., and Ebreo, A. (1990, January). “What Makes a Recycler? A Comparison of Recyclers and Nonrecyclers.” Environment and Behavior 22, 55–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vining, J., Linn, N., and Burdge, R. J. (1992). “Why Recycle? A Comparison of Recycling Motivations in Four Communities.” Environmental Management 16, 785–797.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vossen, P., and Rilla, E. (1997, January). “Home Composters Make a Difference to Diversion.” BioCycle 38, 34–36.Google Scholar
Wertz, K. L. (1976). “The Economic Factors Influencing Households’ Production of Refuse.” Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 2, 263–272.CrossRefGoogle Scholar