If you were to ask your peers if recycling is a priority, more than likely, the response will be no. Our atmosphere is becoming more and more damaged, and it's because of our lifestyles. If people would adapt a recycling method that complements his or her lifestyle, there will be a decrease in the amount of damage the planet will endure. So, the question now is, How do we change our behavior?
Public participation and recycling performance in England: A comparison of tools for behaviour change is an article that focuses on changing behavior to increase recylcing.
The best place to start with changing recycling habits is at home.
"Not all households are recycling as much as they can," is a comment that stood out in the article. The first step to changing a behavior is admitting that you need to change for the better.
Recycling is perceived as an act of good, so why should be "exaggerate" the truth? Why not exaggerate our actions?
The article stated "when asked, many people “exaggerated” their recycling behavior. Data highlighted the significant gap between what people said they would do and what they actually did; it was suggested that this was because people recognize recycling as “a good thing” and want to give the “right answer”."
According to the article, enablers, encouragement, engagement and exemplifying are influences of recycling.
Being concerned for the environment, having a positive recycling attitude, having the proper storage space, and having parental influences are methods listed in the article that can enable an individual to better their recycling behavior. I agree with the enabling process in changing behavior, because having someone to remind you to recycle, in addition with having the proper storage space, will increase your actions and behavior toward recycling.
The article listed taxes, penalties as methods that encourage individuals to recycle. I disagree with the article, because many may think that the government cannot penalize them for not recycling, because how will it be recognized that there was no recycling at a specific house. I do not think it will be noticed or narrowed down to a specific house.
Communication, obtaining feedback, consultation, and community involvement are methods of engagement that are listed in the article. The article states that individuals should not chastise others for not recycling, but to be optimistic in persuasion; stating that it is important for people to recycle not just for the environment, but for personal benefits. Furthering knowledge may also allow others to understand the significance of recycling, thus changing behavior.
Leading by example is the final process in changing behavior, according to the article. I agree, because people tend to follow others when good actions are seen. If someone recycles, the person will also recycle.
This information is helpful for my team's focus group, because we can use the methods listed above to aid in changing behavior. Allowing the residents in the dorm to know the significance of recycling, how it personally benefits their lives, may create a change in behavior that will eventually allow for the support of the Green Campus Fund.
To view this article, please visit http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344907001723#sec1.3
Timletta, R.E. & Williams, I.D. (2007). Public participation and recycling performance in England: A comparison of tools for behavior change. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 52, 622-634. Retrieved September 21, 2011, fromScience Direct Journals.
I enjoyed reading this blog because the information flowed and was interesting. I agree with the article when the author stated that we should not criticize others for not recycling, instead we should encourage or persuade. This is true because when someone feels as if they are being put down for their actions, they might block out the opportunity for change as feeling discouraged.
ReplyDeleteI did not agree with the article when it stated that using penalties will encourage individuals to recycle. Enforcing any unwanted fee for something unnecessary actions will only make someone upset or negative about the problem. Educating and creating interesting and fun ways to inform other about their environment will show a greater response and involvement for each team and their campaign.
Starting recycling habits at home is also another great tip. People tend to be more responsible and considered of the things that are personal or have more meaning. If recycling was practiced at home, students will develop behavior patterns of being environmentally responsible and friendly. Hopefully a recycling habit will develop and will be recognized by the peers and surrounding people of the individual.
When conducting a focus group, it would be a great idea to inform the volunteering students that this is a discussion about their environment. Knowing that they will not be criticized will allow a more comfortable and honest atmosphere. Students will later be encouraged and interested to recycle and to be more environmentally responsible once they have received some beneficial information.
- Kiah W.
The public view upon recycling is an interesting one. Your article mentions a study that showed that the general public feels that recycling is “a good thing.” Although the public as a whole does not practice sustainability as much as they could, they do at the very least know that it is “a good thing to do.” As public relations practitioners, we know that public perception is EVERYTHING! Studies like the one presented in your article are very useful, it shows us that the public has a conscious when it comes to sustainability—they know it has to practiced. Our challenge is to focus in on that conscious and encourage without being perceived as overbearing.
ReplyDeleteYour article addresses a few ways to encourage a sustainable lifestyle among the general public—leading by example, encouragement, communication and feedback are all common suggestions that have been encouraged. I believe that this article fall right in line with the Green Energy Fund campaign we are about to launch here on FAMU’s campus. I am hopeful that these tactics will work to encourage FAMU students to learn about and vote for the Green Energy Fund in February.