Behavioural Science of Upcycling




Tuominen, Jarno

Mezei, Péter; Härkönen, Heidi

1

2026

The Cambridge Handbook of Intellectual Property and Upcycling

Cambridge Law Handbooks

348

360

978-1-009-68510-8

978-1-009-68507-8

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1017/9781009685078



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.




behavioral sciencesnudgeupcycling



Last updated on 12/08/2026 07:07:29 AM