Damaged goods: How our brains can sabotage recycling programs

Here's something to consider with ANY recycling or collection program... regardless of an item's actual ability to be recycled, the more "damaged" it is, the less likely someone is to put it in the trash instead of recycling it.

Professor Trudel of Boston University and Professor Argo of University of Alberta conducted research to see how changing or damaging items changes how often they are recycled. The belief is that our brains are wired to evaluate an item's potential value and usefulness... and that we think "damaged" items are worth less and have less value, so they are "trash."

Here's some of the takeaways from their research:

• If an 8.5" x 11" sheet of office paper was more than half its original size, it was 400%+ more likely to be recycled than a smaller piece of paper.
• Small, 7.5oz aluminum cans are recycled about half as much as 12oz cans.
• The recycling rate of 12oz aluminum cans fell from 83% to 17% when dented (like the picture at the top of the page)

Some ideas about how you can combat this and increase recycling:

• Make the trash can the last resort. Professor Trudel suggests even something as simple as putting a frowny face on trash cans is enough to change behavior. If Mr. Yuk worked before, perhaps he can make a comeback on trash cans?

• Label the trash for what it is: Stuff going to a landfill. Take a cue from this can design used in Union Station. Doesn't need to need to be fancy, but a label that just says "Landfill" might be enough to make people think twice.

(Image: www.ilaxstudio.com)

• Consider reinforcing items to be recycled with pictures or icons. Like any sign or label, it never hurts to be clear... especially if all of your recycling bins are blue. If you have a label for "cans," consider adding a picture of a couple cans to the label or lamination. It might be just enough to make sure that recyclable item gets in the can.

• Look at what your can sizes say. I actually just had an experience with this... a couple cases where the recycling bin was literally a tenth the size of the trash can. If you have a huge trash cart versus a tiny recycling bin with a slot, people will tend to do what is easier. If you really want the program to work, you have to remove obstacles.

If you'd like to read the original research by Prof Trudel and Prof Argo: http://www.jcr-admin.org/files/pressPDFs/071213005631_Trudel_Article.pdf

Hi IC... we're working adding this to our product offering as I write. Stay tuned there.

I was actually thinking about producing "Goes to Landfill" decals to give to our fine Founding Members to use in your facilities and see how it works. Thought you all might like. Who's interested?

Nice, large (10") vinyl super-adhesive decals will be here in about 10 days... design below. I'll set up a post for Founding Members when they arrive to take "orders"

Thanks Deb!

Sign him up, we'd love to have him!

New Pig has the aluminum markers that you tend to see a lot mounted to drains... a few different designs. (Thanks for the set up, haha)
http://www.newpig.com/pig/US/stormwater-drain-marker-sgn362?cm_cat=keyword_search

I started a new thread for our esteemed Members to get FREE "This Trash Goes To A Landfill" Trash Can Decals:

http://www.wastemin.com/discuss/index.php?threads/free-this-trash-goes-to-a-landfill-trash-can-decals-for-members.92/

Thanks to ICGreen, Deb and Heidi for getting this discussion rolling!