FACTORS AFFECTING RESIDENTS' PARTICIPATION IN CARE AND RECYCLE PROGRAMMES

Abstract

Rapid economic growth has resulted in an increasing generation of non-hazardous solid waste in Singapore. Reduction of waste generation at source and recycling are perceived to be the keys to the management of waste in the future. The present rate of recycling is only 40% of total refuse disposed. To investigate factors promoting or deterring participation rate in public housing recycling schemes, a door-to-door survey was tested on 100 residents randomly selected in Bukit Batok and Jurong West housing estates under Hong Kah Town Council that had implemented a national recycling programme in April 2000. The survey's objectives were to find out whether awareness of the recycling scheme, motivations, attitudes and demographic characteristics of the residents has an effect on the frequency of residents using recycling bags. Approximately 82% of the respondents claimed to have participated in the national recycling programme. From data collected using the questionnaires, it was shown that most demographic variables did not predict participation in the Care and Recycle Programme, nor did motivation relate to environmental, social and personal factors and recycling attitudes. The main significant predictors of participation in the Care and Recycle Programme identified were household size, awareness of the recycling scheme and economic motivation. Except for awareness of the recycling scheme, household size and economic motive had a negative relationship with participation rate. However, there were a few limitations to the research. Implications of the findings for understanding participation in residential recycling schemes and recommendations to promote recycling were also discussed.