Marginal recycling: place and informal recycling in St. John's,Newfoundland

Informal recycling networks are systems through which impoverished populations earn money and residents recycle waste which might otherwise go into a landfill. These networks, in which people voluntarily self-organise to collect recyclables, occur throughout the world. This article discusses results of an exploratory, qualitative study of one such network in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador which identifies motivational characteristics of the network and their implications for public policy. Through close attention to particularities of place, the research identified community interaction and community inclusion as two of the most active motivating factors within the studied network. The findings suggest public recycling programmes can increase public participation through greater attention to place-based motivational factors. Such participation could contribute to increased sustainability and reach of recycling programmes.