Changing behavior to increase recycling.

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.