The Effect of Social Capital on Pro-environmental Behaviors :

The Urban Waste and Recycle Policy in Bunkyo-ward

Abstract

Recent research has showed that waste management policies in Tokyo 23 Ward do not reflect community social characteristics. This paper focuses on the concept of social capital and argues that pro-environmental behaviors are influenced by the characteristics of community social capital. Based on a survey (n=406) in Bunkyo ward, we found 1) positive associations between social capital and pro-environmental behaviors, and 2) two types of social capital promoting such behaviors, i.e. bonding social capital and bridging social capital. Results imply that recycling regulations in 23 wards should be implemented based on the nature of community social capital.