RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING - BEHAVIOR AND POLICY

Handling the huge amount of solid waste generated by our ''throw-away society'' is a major threat to a sustainable future. Recycling of used products is one important contribution toward sustainability, and soc ial science research can help to increase its success. Of the many var ied forms of recycling, residential curbside recycling is fast becomin g the dominant form in the U.S., but it has been little studied. This article briefly reviews earlier research on other forms of recycling a nd describes the findings of several recent studies of curbside progra ms, including the new commingled collection method. In addition, it su mmarizes a study on the growth of paper recycling by businesses, and a study of consumers' environmentally conscious ''green buying,'' which can help reduce the overall amount of solid waste that is generated.