Will they recycle? Design and implementation of eco-feedback technology to promote on-the-go recycling in a university environment

Abstract

Recycling rates have plateaued and recycling in public spaces has been targeted as a component that can help increase overall recycling rates. Eco-feedback technology and environmental psychology were combined to study recycling in a semi-public space in multiple social environments. A low-cost, low-energy electronic recycling bin design (WeRecycle bin) uses human-computer interaction and social principles to provide behavior-changing eco-feedback. Using mixed-methods research, we tested the WeRecycle bin in three different experiments by varying social settings and time of exposure, documenting impacts for public recycling. Results show that simple low-energy, low-cost eco-feedback technology resulted in statistically significant increases in recycling activity and can be an important tool in the promotion of recycling activity outside the home.