The Recycling of Container and Packaging Waste in the Spanish Retail Distribution Sector

Abstract

The authors analyse the determinants of the commercial container recycling behaviour of small and medium-sized companies in the retail-distribution sector of a representative Spanish city. A conceptual model is proposed, based on the literature on the incentives for and barriers to participation in selective collection programmes. By application of structural equation model methodology to a sample of 245 retail-distribution establishments, the main determinants of recycling were ascertained to be the perceived importance of the environmental problems and the perception of good management by public authorities. However, the free-rider attitude represents a barrier to participation.