Applying temporal self-regulation theory to identify correlates of soft plastic recycling in Australia

Objective: Rigid plastics are accepted by Australian recycling facilities but soft forms are not. Further, single-use soft plastic may only be used once but can take 400 years to break down. As only 12% of plastic is recycled, increasing recycling of soft plastic will decrease negative environmental impacts. This study aims to assess the applicability of temporal self-regulation theory to identify factors that correlated with soft plastic recycling. Method: Participants (N = 318) completed a cross-sectional online questionnaire measuring connectedness beliefs, temporal valuations, intention, habit, self-control and behaviour. Results: Connectedness beliefs and temporal valuations accounted for significant variance in intention (R = .13, p < .001). Intention and habit accounted for significant variance in behaviour (R = .39, p < .001). Habit at low levels moderated the relationship between intention and behaviour but self-control was not a significant moderator between intention and behaviour. Conclusions: Findings provide partial support for temporal self-regulation theory to assess a pro-environmental behaviour. Collecting soft plastic for recycling is largely explained by habit and intention. Moderating effects suggest that strong habit may compensate for weaker intention to carry out the behaviour and vice-versa. Results indicate potential for transferability of the theory for other areas of behavioural research and can inform interventions to encourage soft plastic recycling. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) When used to predict environmental behaviours the theory of planned behaviour has shown good predictive ability but also an intention behaviour gap. (2) Temporal self-regulation theory is used to explain and predict health behaviours and has been successful in closing the observed intention-behaviour gap in the theory of planned behaviour, a key theory in the field. (3) There is a need to effectively recycle soft plastic due to the global increase in plastic pollution and high soft plastic production rates but lack of infrastructure and knowledge regarding how to recycle soft plastic, potentially contributing to overall low plastic recycling rates. What this topic adds: (1) This study is the first to apply temporal self-regulation theory to environmental psychology with partial support for the theory in explaining behaviour. This suggests that temporal self-regulation theory may have utility in environmental psychology. (2) This study explains variance in recycling behaviour and demonstrates ways researchers could intervene to change behaviour. (3) This study is the first to investigate soft plastic recycling behaviour and has identified some of its correlates and directions for future research, which can inform knowledge and interventions to increase rates. ARTICLE HISTORY Received 15 March 2021 Accepted 30 October 2021