Abstract

As the utilization of various forms of Renewable Energy (RE) resources such as solar and wind power have become more developed and consumed over the last several years, general awareness of innovative forms of clean sustainable energy production has increased. This article discusses Waste-to-Energy (WtE) as an advanced and evolving method of RE and measures the acceptance of the technology using Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) as a basis for assessing variables that correlate to the general acceptance of WtE by those who benefit from its use. The study further examines the degree to which individuals’ acceptance of WtE is predicated by attitudes concerning global warming, conventional energy use, US energy production, RE knowledge, WtE knowledge, income, and net worth. The findings indicate that all predictors, with the exception of income, indicate statistically significant and positive correlations with acceptance of WtE within the sample. Further, multiple regression analysis was used to analyze predictors to determine which factors had statistical significance and a positive relationship with WtE acceptance. The results conclude that knowledge of WtE, global warming and conventional energy beliefs, and net worth all revealed positive correlations to WtE use, which is believed to lead to positive acceptance among potential users. Based on the findings of this study, strategy implication should include leveraging this perceived acceptance through enhanced educational, advocacy and marketing efforts that focus on increasing consumer knowledge of WtE as an innovative and reliable source of RE.