Assessing recycling attitude and behaviour in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Abstract

Ras Al Khaimah (Rak) is the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The emirate has witnessed a phenomenal economic and demographic growth. Taking a progressive stance on sustainability, the emirate has undertaken a sustainability strategy that aims at increasing its recycling rate from the current level of about 15 to 75% by 2021. The current study examines the socio-demographic (gender, age, family size, education and household income) and environmental awareness determinants of recycling attitude and behaviour in Rak. This is done through statistical analysis of results from a public survey, where 227 respondents were interviewed face to face to respond to several questions designed to get insight into the main drivers and factors influencing recycling in Rak. The results indicate that environmental awareness and education level are significantly associated with recycling behaviour in Rak at a significance level of 0·001. Environmental awareness is also associated with recycling attitude, but at a lesser significance level of 0·07. Other socio-economic and demographic factors such as gender, age, family size and income are not significantly associated with recycling attitude and behaviour. The results from the study provide valuable insight that would help policymakers design effective recycling campaign.