Recycling domestic waste: a proxy for environmental sus tainability?

SUMMARY

This paper explores some of the issues surrounding participation in and collection of, domestic waste for recycling and examines the motivation for individuals to recycle household waste, the ease with which this may happen, and the environmental impacts of the methods of recycling. This information is then used to suggest that it may be possible to engage individuals in the debate about sustainability by using recycling as a starting point for greater awareness of the wider and more complex issues. These issues are social as well as environmental and economic considerations. The paper suggests that, as recycling is increasingly recognised as a ‘green’ activity, it can be used as a model to encourage individuals to engage in similar activities.

Key words:

• sustainability
• environment
• local action
• recycling
• environmental education