A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
Behavioural Science of Upcycling
Authors: Tuominen, Jarno
Editors: Mezei, Péter; Härkönen, Heidi
Edition: 1
Publication year: 2026
Book title : The Cambridge Handbook of Intellectual Property and Upcycling
Series title: Cambridge Law Handbooks
First page : 348
Last page: 360
ISBN: 978-1-009-68510-8
eISBN: 978-1-009-68507-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009685078
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : No Open Access publication channel
Slowing down and mitigating the impact of climate change necessitates changes to individual behaviour in a multitude of realms. While reducing resource waste in the production process and consuming less are essential, it is also necessary to increase resource reuse with both effective re- and upcycling. However, relatively little is known about the determinants of upcycling behaviour. In this chapter, the literature on the identified psychological and social drivers is reviewed. A broader reading of behavioural determinants for green behaviour change is used to outline possible pathways for behaviour change still untested in a scientific setting in the context of upcycling. The chapter concludes with a critical review on the relative impact of both up- and recycling compared to their perceived effectiveness. Potential ways increase the likelihood of effective reuse while also reducing overall resource use are considered from a social norms perspective.
Keywords:
behavioral sciences, nudge, upcycling