Surveys of households in a medium‐sized city were conducted at three different points in time to investigate changes in general environmental concern (as measured by the New Environmental Paradigm), specific recycling attitudes (as measured by constructs of the Schwartz moral norm model), and recycling behavior that occurred as recycling opportunities increased over time. After the initial data point, a voluntary curbside recycling program was implemented in central sections of the community and then later expanded citywide. The results indicate that over time, the proportion of households indicating that they recycled increased along with the actual volume of materials recycled in the community. General environmental concern and specific attitudes regarding recycling also became more favorable over time with recyclers exhibiting stronger pro‐environmental attitudes than nonrecyclers. Specific recycling attitudes were found to be only moderately related to generalized concern for the environment. Lastly, the predictive utility of general environmental concern and specific recycling attitudes were examined.

Knowledge and motivational factors represent important but neglected topics in the study of recycling behavior. This article examines differences in knowledge, motives, and demographic characteristics of people who have the opportunity to recycle voluntarily. Information on these variables was obtained for 197 households in Illinois. The results indicated that recyclers in general were more aware of publicity about recycling and more knowledgeable about materials that were recyclable in the local area and the means for recycling these materials than were nonrecyclers. While both recyclers and nonrecyclers were motivated by concerns for the environment, non-recyclers were more concerned with financial incentives to recycle, rewards for recycling, and with matters of personal convenience. Few demographic characteristics distinguished recyclers from nonrecyclers.

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/ Surveys focusing on solid-waste-related issues, conducted over a period of several years, provided data from independent samples of residents of a Midwestern, USA, community. The collection of these data yielded useful information about the relationship between residents' recycling motives and their attitudes toward solid waste management in light of several changes in the solid waste infrastructure of the community over that time. The initial survey assessed baseline beliefs and attitudes, while later surveys were conducted after the implementation of a community educational program and a curbside recycling program. The findings indicated that for recyclers and nonrecyclers, different motives predicted endorsement of solid waste programs and policies. Although a similar percentage of recyclers and nonrecyclers were in support of various proposed programs and policies, concern for the environment was found to be positively related to nonrecyclers' support of proposed programs, particularly before these programs were implemented. Prior to program implementation, motives other than environmental altruism were found to be related to recyclers' support of the programs. Additional findings support the idea that educational programs and increased accessibility to recycling opportunities affect the relationship between people's attitudes toward solid waste management and their recycling motives.

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