Private Recycling Values, Social Norms, and Legal Rules

Revue d'Economie Politique, Forthcoming

Vanderbilt Law and Economics Research Paper No. 13-01

35 Pages Posted: 25 Jan 2013 Last revised: 14 Nov 2013

See all articles by W. Kip Viscusi

W. Kip Viscusi

Vanderbilt University - Law School; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Vanderbilt University - College of Arts and Science - Department of Economics; Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management; Vanderbilt University - Strategy and Business Economics

Joel C. Huber

Duke University - Fuqua School of Business

Jason Bell

Duke University - Fuqua School of Business

Date Written: January 21, 2013

Abstract

This article uses a large, original data set on U.S. recycling behavior and perception of social norms. The data include unique information with respect to personal norms and external social norms with respect to recycling behavior, making it possible to analyze the determinants of these norms and the effect of norms on recycling. The legal and regulatory environment affect average community recycling rates and external social norms, but do not have an additional independent effect on recycling for glass, plastic, cans, or paper. Social norms in terms of average community recycling rates and perceived external norms boost recycling rates. Households that recycle are also more likely to have a private recycling norm. Deposit policies that provide financial incentives and recycling policies that make recycling more convenient boost recycling rates.

Keywords: H23, D60, K32, Q30

JEL Classification: recycling, norms, environment, deposit policies

Suggested Citation

Viscusi, W. Kip and Huber, Joel C. and Bell, Jason, Private Recycling Values, Social Norms, and Legal Rules (January 21, 2013). Revue d'Economie Politique, Forthcoming, Vanderbilt Law and Economics Research Paper No. 13-01, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2206396 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2206396

W. Kip Viscusi (Contact Author)

Vanderbilt University - Law School ( email )

131 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203-1181
United States
615-343-7715 (Phone)
615-322-5953 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/bio/?pid=w-kip-viscusi

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Vanderbilt University - College of Arts and Science - Department of Economics

Box 1819 Station B
Nashville, TN 37235
United States
(615) 343-7715 (Phone)
(615) 343-5953 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://as.vanderbilt.edu/economics/bio/wkip-viscusi/

Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management

401 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
United States
(615) 343-7715 (Phone)
(615) 343-5953 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://business.vanderbilt.edu/bio/w-kip-viscusi/

Vanderbilt University - Strategy and Business Economics

Nashville, TN 37203
United States

Joel C. Huber

Duke University - Fuqua School of Business ( email )

Box 90120
Durham, NC 27708-0120
United States
919-660-7785 (Phone)

Jason Bell

Duke University - Fuqua School of Business ( email )

Box 90120
Durham, NC 27708-0120
United States

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