A Logistic Regression Analysis of Factors Affecting Recycling Behavior in Apartment Communities

Abstract

Apartment communities are beginning to develop recycling programs in response to recycling legislation and market pressures. Most research has examined recycling in the context of single-family housing and has not addressed the unique housing environment of apartment communities. Efforts to develop and implement recycling programs in apartment communities thus far have focused on management issues and directive recycling policies. Limited attention has been directed toward identifying factors which motivate positive recycling behavior.

A stratified sample of 46 apartment communities was surveyed to identify factors affecting recycling behavior and to develop recommendations that will assist property managers in developing effective recycling programs. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables that increased the probability of positive recycling behavior among apartment community residents. Recycling knowledge, education, and type of building in which the respondent resided emerged as significant variables affecting recycling behavior. Interestingly, respondent attitude toward the importance of protecting the environment was not a significant factor in this analysis. Also, respondents’ gender, age, and length of residence in the apartment and region do not appear to affect positive recycling behavior. Implications of these findings for further research and application to property managers are discussed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael K. Johnson

Michael K. Johnson and Kathleen R. Parrott are Associate Professors at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. The authors wish to acknowledge the Residential Property Management Board at Virginia Tech for their funding of this research and their assistance in sample identification and questionnaire distribution and collection.

Kathleen R. Parrott

Michael K. Johnson and Kathleen R. Parrott are Associate Professors at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. The authors wish to acknowledge the Residential Property Management Board at Virginia Tech for their funding of this research and their assistance in sample identification and questionnaire distribution and collection.