Recycling gone bad: When the option to recycle increases resource consumption
Open accessAbstract
In this study, we propose that the ability to recycle may lead to increased resource usage compared to when a recycling option is not available. Supporting this hypothesis, our first experiment shows that consumers used more paper while evaluating a pair of scissors when the option to recycle was provided (vs. not provided). In a follow‐up field experiment, we find that the per person restroom paper hand towel usage increased after the introduction of a recycling bin compared to when a recycling option was not available. We conclude by discussing implications for research and policy.
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References 24 · Cited by 203
- Authors
- Catlin, J. R., & Wang, Y.
- Affiliations
- Washington State University Tri-Cities (US)
- Tsinghua University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Wang, Yitong
- Venue
- Journal of Consumer Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2012-04-11
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 122-127
- ISSN
- 1057-7408 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7663
- OpenAlex
- W2065597045
- Cited by
- 203
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 23.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- papers.ssrn.com
- Locations
- Journal of Consumer Psychology (publishedVersion)
- SSRN Electronic Journal (submittedVersion)
- UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Environmental Education and Sustainability
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Environmental Sustainability in Business
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
- Keywords
- recycling, resource consumption, recycling bins, consumer behavior, hand towels, environmental policy, pro-environmental behavior
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