Brief report: Effects of informational feedback on aluminum can recycling

Abstract

The impact of informational feedback on the depositing of aluminum cans in recycling receptacles at a medium-sized university was investigated. Informational signs were placed over 20-recycling receptacles in three academic buildings. Each informational sign was placed at eye level, with the number of aluminum cans deposited for recycling during the previous week displayed in red digits. A 65% increase in the number of aluminum cans deposited in recycling receptacles with the informational signs was observed. Furthermore, removal of the informational signs was observed to reliably decrease the number of aluminum cans deposited. These results are discussed in the context of employing feedback to increase environmental protection behaviors.

Behavior Analysis and Environmental Protection: Accomplishments and Potential for More

“…On a university campus, Larson, Houlihan, and Goernert (1995) posted the number of aluminum cans deposited in a recycling container over the previous week. Without any other persuasive environmental message, this intervention led to a 65% increase over baseline in the number of cans recycled.…”

Improving Nordic policymaking by dispelling myths on sustainable consumption

“…As discussed in myth 3, providing feedback, spreading information about the positive changes that others are making and the created positive impact is a useful communication strategy. In one experiment signs were placed above aluminium can recycling containers giving information about the number of cans that had been recycled during the previous weeks: recycling rates increased by 65% with the addition of this information (Larson, Houlihan et al 1995 ).…”

Att skingra myter om hållbar konsumtion för att förbättra nordiskt beslutsfattande

“…I ett experiment placerades tecken ovanför aluminiumburksbehållare som gav information om hur många burkar som hade återvunnits under de senaste veckorna. Återvinningen ökade med 65 % efter tillägget av denna information (Larson, Houlihan et al 1995 ).…”