Graduate Program

Family and Consumer Studies

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2008

Thesis Director

Richard Wilkinson

Thesis Committee Member

Mary Lou Hubbard

Thesis Committee Member

Lisa Taylor

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the recycling attitudes and behaviors among Eastern Illinois University undergraduate students in the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences, and to determine if students are willing to include textile in their recycling behavior. The potential benefits of this research include an increase in environmental awareness among students and a decrease in the amount of textiles sent to the landfill.

A survey was distributed to seventeen Family and Consumer Sciences, Business, and Technology classes. Surveys were also distributed at a meeting for non-traditional students. A total of 194 surveys were returned to the researcher. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software.

Five research questions regarding student's recycling habits were addressed in this study. From the survey, related statements were combined to form variables corresponding to each of the research questions. The following tests were used to analyze the data: MANOVA, t-tests, and descriptive statistics.

Results indicate that students are willing to include textiles in their recycling behavior. Females are more likely than males to dispose of textiles in ways that are environmentally friendly. There are no significant differences in the recycling behaviors of older (non-traditional) students and younger (traditional) students. Significant differences were found in the recycling attitudes and behaviors among Family and Consumer Sciences, Business, Technology and other majors.

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