Social Psychology and the Stimulation of Recycling Behaviors: The Block Leader Approach

Evaluated 2 treatments designed to increase participation in a city-sponsored curbside recycling program. In the block leader (BL) condition, in which 41 homes took part, citizens who consistently recycled were instructed to give approximately 10 nonrecycling neighbors a persuasive communication advocating recycling and special recycling bags. The 2nd treatment group (of 68 nonrecycling households) had bags and the communication left at their door. Results indicate that the curbside recycling of the 2 experimental groups differed significantly from one another (with the BL group recycling more), and that both treatments were successful in increasing recycling.