Abstract
This case study dives into the interaction between recycling and basic human existence. With this case study, I attempt to answer the questions of how individuals and families that struggle to maintain their basic needs engage in, believe about, and feel toward recycling. Recycling is an indicator of other environmentally conscious behavior because households that recycle are more likely to behave in other environmentally responsible ways. (Berger, 1997) Recycling is also an important environmentally beneficial behavior on its own; recycling reduces the amount of natural resources that are needed to create consumer goods, cuts our dependence on crowded landfills, keeps plastics from floating in our oceans, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It is one easy way for all people to improve the natural world. Approximately 37 percent of global municipal solid waste is composed of recyclable materials. (Project Drawdown, 2014) Additionally, landfill methane is 12% of global emissions (EPA, 2006) which is 21 times more potent GHG than carbon dioxide. (Hoornweg & Bhada-Tata, 2012). Middle and high-income households have a relatively easy access to recycling and have the emotional bandwidth to recycle as they see fit. However, this may not be the case for the ALICE population. ALICE, Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed, along with those below the federal poverty level represent 43% of North Idaho. (UWNI) According to the United Way of North Idaho, ”They are working hard, but falling short of what they need to consistently cover the basic costs of living. Unable to save for the future, they are vulnerable to a single emergency that can push them into crisis and even poverty.” (UWNI) With the constant stress of attempting to mitigate their vulnerability how do these households engage with the simple yet important act of recycling? This case study will dive into the lived experience of several North Idaho families in an attempt to unravel the complexity of this issue. The question of how socio-economic factors influence recycling has been addressed in countries other than the United States. In Greece, the Theory of Planned Behavior determines recycling intentions, but demographics does not contribute significantly. (Botetzagia et.el, 2014) Abrahamse and Steg were able to identify a correlation between natural resource conservation behavior, including recycling, and social influence. (Abrahamse & Steg, 2013) The strongest socially influential behavior was determined to be the block leader. Will the ALICE population have the mental and emotional free-space to regard and respect the actions of block leaders? In Canada, households in the lower socio-economic levels were found to recycle less than middle and upper-income households. (Berger, 1997) However, this research showed that the primary reason for the difference in recycling behavior had to do with access to recycling collection services. This case study will examine the interplay between attitudes and emotions opposed to recycling behavior and the accessibility of recycling service. In 2007 the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the United Kingdom found that low-income households were less likely to engage in recycling, but this study also found that there was a large group of low-income households that participated in environmentally conscious behavior. (Defra, 2008) As significant as this may be, it still does not answer significant questions; Included in these questions is how do ALICE households in North Idaho participate in environmental behaviors such as recycling. Kootenai County Idaho is overwhelmingly conservative; according to the Idaho Secretary of State, there are over 45,000 registered republican voters and under 10,000 registered democrats. (IDSOS, 2020) How does this American conservative demographic influence the ALICE population’s beliefs about recycling? This is one question I intend to answer through this case study.