Recycling in rural areas. A process model for substantive design

Abstract

This research emphasises the need to adopt a holistic approach to designing resource recovery and recycling programmes in rural areas. It has found that recycling is less advanced in rural than urban areas and, illustrated that the design of recycling programmes is contextually bound. Accordingly, the determination of what constitutes an appropriate recycling programme for a given area requires a comprehensive study of social-psychological, economic, environmental, geographical and institutional factors.

The role of local territorial authorities in setting up recycling programmes is considered. Evidence from case study research and recognition of legislative requirements highlights that local territorial authorities are likely to play a central role: as coordinator of recycling provisions or providing financial support to existing recycling groups.

A combination of methodologies was used: grounded theory, intrinsic and instrumental case study research, ethnography, and a literature review. The research also used a combination of research methods: a questionnaire, focus groups and interviews. These methodologies and methods were both compatible and complementary. The exploratory nature of these methodologies enabled substantive theory for two case study areas to emerge. The substantive theories formed the design of two recycling programmes. The use of instrumental case studies complemented the literature reviews and intrinsic case studies, which together with the two substantive theories contributed to the design of a formal process model for rural authorities to develop and implement resource recovery and recycling programmes.