The Impact of Social Norms, Wealth Inequality, and Municipal Policy on Recycling Infrastructure in Glen Rock, New Jersey

This study examines how social norms, wealth inequality, and municipal infrastructure intersect to shape recycling behavior in Glen Rock, New Jersey. Using a mixed-methods design that combines 4 semi-structured interviews with residents, local officials, and environmental council members alongside a structured survey of 20 households, the research finds that recycling in Glen Rock is primarily driven by internalized responsibility and guilt rather than external social pressure. While residents express strong personal commitment to recycling, their motivation is undermined by persistent confusion about plastics, limited program scope, and doubts about whether collected materials are actually processed. The town’s affluence ensures reliable infrastructure and consistent collection, but wealth does not eliminate distrust or frustrations, nor does it guarantee superior environmental outcomes. Instead, Glen Rock illustrates how affluence can mask subtle vulnerabilities in recycling participation, challenging the logic of the Environmental Kuznets Curve, which is a theory suggesting that more economically developed areas have less environmental degradation. The findings suggest that municipal transparency, clear communication, and complementary waste reduction policies are essential for sustaining long-term engagement, even in affluent communities.