It was found that recyclers felt more self-sufficient and less wasteful. An internal locus of control and knowing that one's participation in recycling makes a difference drives individuals' who have these intrinsic motivations. These individuals are usually very committed to helping the environment from deterioration and find gratification in conserving natural resources. External facilitators are yet another variable that is identified as influencing recycling behavior. Several studies have found that these factors such as time, effort and money that it is required for recycling can become external barriers to recycling.
Convenience is one of the factors that researchers have looked at.
These cognitive variables empower a person to recycle. The most important cognitive variables that have been found to influence recycling behavior are knowledge of where, what and how to recycle and awareness of the benefit of recycling. When it comes to recycling, many environmentalists would agree that consumer ignorance plays a major role in why people don't recycle. This lack of knowledge ranges from what recycling programs are available to what can and cannot be recycled. Educating individuals about how, what, and where to recycle is important.