Predictors of Recycling Behavior: An Application of a Modified Health Belief Model¹

Abstract

In an examination of environmentally related behavior, the health belief model (HBM) was applied to the recycling behavior of a random sample of Missouri residents. The results indicated that both the basic and modified versions of the HBM significantly predict recycling behavior; significant predictors include perceived barriers, perceived likelihood of negative outcomes due to failure to recycle, self‐efficacy, and consideration of future consequences. These findings are consistent with applications of the HBM to health‐related actions. The poor performance of several variables provides evidence of the psychological processes underlying decisions to recycle.