Social norms, Morals and Self-interest as Determinants of Pro-environment Behaviours

Mikolaj Czajkowski, Nick Hanley and Karine Nyborg

No 18/2014, Memorandum from Oslo University, Department of Economics

Abstract: This paper considers the role which selfish, moral and social incentives and pressures play in explaining the extent to which stated choices over pro-environment behaviours vary across individuals. The empirical context is choices over household waste contracts and recycling actions in Poland. A theoretical model is used to show how cost-based motives and the desire for a positive self- and social image combine to determine the utility from alternative choices of recycling behaviour. We then describe a choice experiment designed to empirically investigate the effects such drivers have on stated choices. Using a latent class model, we distingush three types of individual who are described as duty-orientated recyclers, budget recyclers and homo oeconomicus. These groups vary in their preferences for how frequently waste is collected, and the number of categories into which household waste must be recycled. Our results have implications for the design of future policies aimed at improving participation in recycling schemes.

Keywords: Household recycling; choice experiment; latent class model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D01 D64 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 24 pages
Date: 2014-08-30
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dcm and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (31)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Social norms, morals and self-interest as determinants of pro-environment behaviour (2014)
Working Paper: Social norms, morals and self-interest as determinants of pro-environment behaviour (2014)
Working Paper: Social norms, morals and self-interest as determinants of pro-environment behaviour (2014)
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