Abstract Summary
Plastic pollution is increasingly recognized as a global challenge, prompting the EU to adopt their plastics strategy as a key element of Europe’s transition towards a carbon-neutral and circular economy. While significant efforts have been made in Europe, including the Netherlands, challenges persist in effectively managing this waste stream. Both for increasing the percentage of plastic waste in the plastic waste stream and for decreasing the portion of the separated plastic waste stream that still ends up in incinerators due to contamination. This situation stresses the importance of better understanding household waste sorting behavior and of researching effective waste management strategies as important points towards reaching higher recycling rates. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the determinants that influence plastic waste recycling behavior in households and to develop a framework to categorize the behavioral costs involved in recycling behavior. An in-depth scoping review and bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature will examine both the individual-level factors and contextual factors influencing recycling behavior, including spatial (urban vs. rural) and infrastructure (pre- and post-sorting of waste streams) factors. This review will be complemented by relevant findings from the grey literature. Preliminary findings suggest that the behavioral cost associated with plastic waste recycling behavior is highly context-dependent, varying significantly with the available infrastructure. Factors such as procedural knowledge, recycling self-identity, and perceived behavioral control are critical in shaping waste sorting behavior. Interventions designed to reduce perceived efforts – for instance with environmental restructuring and targeted informational campaigns – can effectively boost participation rates and the quality of sorted waste streams. The study highlights the need for context-specific strategies in recycling behavior. Gaining a deeper understanding of the behavioral costs associated with recycling can guide policymakers in crafting more targeted interventions and policies to overcome the barriers faced by individuals in recycling their plastic waste. In conclusion, this study contributes to the field of plastic waste recycling behavior research by offering a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing recycling practices. By focusing on the behavioral costs that are associated with plastic waste recycling, valuable insights can be found for waste management practices geared towards higher plastic recycling rates by households and the inclusion of plastics in the circular economy.
