Assessing the determinants of perceived recycling inconvenience in South Korea

Studies in waste management often seek to improve the recycling of municipal solid waste (MSW) by making household recycling more convenient through curbside recycling services and policies. Most studies in this field have investigated convenience as an independent variable, with curbside recycling regarded as a major factor in determining convenience. Within this context, the current study argues that the factors contributing to recycling convenience within the context of a curbside recycling system should be investigated further. Using a survey sample of 1,000 South Korean citizens, this paper investigates the effects of environmental concern and political ideology on perceptions of recycling convenience. The findings reveal that while concern for the environment makes people view recycling as more convenient, political ideology does not have a significant impact.