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Factors Associated with Backyard Composting Behavior at the Household Level

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2016

William M. Park ,
Kevin S. Lamons  and
Roland K. Roberts
William M. Park
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kevin S. Lamons
Affiliation:
National Agricultural Statistics Service, Athens, Georgia
Roland K. Roberts
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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Abstract

Communities in most states are under pressure to reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills. Many are making efforts to encourage their citizens to practice backyard composting. A logit regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with backyard composting of yard and food wastes in a case study area. Sample data were obtained through a September 1997 telephone survey of 865 households residing in single-family dwellings in Knox County, Tennessee. Findings indicate that a number of variables reflecting complementary behavior, attitudes, knowledge, and peer influence were significantly related to composting behavior. Policy implications of these findings are outlined.

Keywords

compostingfood wastesolid wasteyard waste
Type
Articles
Information
Agricultural and Resource Economics Review , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , October 2002 , pp. 147 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © 2002 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

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