Protecting the planet: Predicting recycling of e-waste products

The amount of discarded electronic products (called <i>e-waste</i>) such as printers, monitors, laptops, and their accessories and cables, grows internationally every year. Encouraging and instructing people how to recycle e-waste is necessary for decelerating climate change. Applying the theory of planned behavior, individuals' intent to recycle may vary because of their values, norms, and perceived control. In the present study, 839 adults (430 men, 409 women) completed survey items online through crowdsourcing, offering a representative American sample. Most participants were young and middle-aged (62%) with a bachelor's degree (51%). Hierarchical regression results suggest intent to recycle is predicted partially by our values, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. In the face of a climate crisis, we highlight the importance of fostering positive attitudes toward the environment, normalizing pro-environmental behavior, and offering information on how to engage in pro-environmental behavior like recycling.