The Impact of Public Feedback on Three Recycling-Related Behaviors in South Korea

Abstract

The effectiveness of posted feedback on recycling in a lounge area at a South Korean university was studied. Participants were college students, professors, and staff members. The dependent variables were the percentage and number of correctly separated aluminum cans, the percentage and number of correctly separated paper cups, and the weight of recycled paper. An A-B-BC-A time series design was used. During baseline (A), separation containers were provided. Posted written feedback was introduced (B) and graphic feedback was added (BC). All feedback was then withdrawn (A). Written feedback resulted in statistically significant increases in all five measures. Although all five measures increased again when graphic feedback was added, none of the increases was statistically significant. When feedback was removed, all but the percentage of correctly separated paper cups decreased significantly. Although the study was of short duration, the results suggest that publicly posted written feedback can increase recycling.

The Effects of Bin Proximity and Visual Prompts on Recycling in a University Building

“…In order for such programs to succeed, it may be helpful to better understand the variables that influence recycling behavior. Researchers have successfully increased recycling through consequence-based interventions such as contingent rewards (e.g., Geller, Chaffee, & Ingram, 1975), public feedback (e.g., Kim, Oah, & Dickinson, 2005), and commitment (e.g., 1 Email: ndmiller@memphis.ed DeLeon & Fuqua, 1995). Two antecedent-based procedures that are particularly promising for institutional efforts to improve recycling are the placement of recycling bins in close proximity to the point of consumption (e.g., Ludwig, Gray, & Rowell, 1998;O'Connor, Lerman, Fritz, & Hodde, 2010), and providing antecedent prompts or signs (e.g., Austin, Hatfield, Grindle, & Bailey, 1993;Duffy & Verges, 2008).…”

Workplace Waste Recycling Behaviour: A Meta-Analytical Review

“…While most of these factors are mainly extraneous in nature, the endurance of such extrinsic factors in reinforcing recycling behaviours over a long period of time is another challenge. However, authors (such as [33,66]) have demonstrated that extrinsic motivations such as monetary rewards [42] cannot sustain recycling behaviour when compared to other factors such as feedback [77], organisation [58] and individual [45] commitment. In other words, behaviour may return to the status quo after the extrinsic incentives are withdrawn, corroborating previous studies [38] that extrinsic factors can only provide short-term effects.…”

Strategies for Improving Recycling at a Higher Education Institution: A Case Study of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados

“…on bin contamination). Indeed, [42] argued that publically posted feedback significantly increased recycling rates.…”

“…Information such as how much money is earned through recycling and what is being done with the funds could be made available through the University's various social media. A study conducted by [42] revealed that posting feedback had a positive impact on recycling rates. However, reporting the challenges associated with the Recycling Initiative are just as important as reporting the positives.…”