The Impact of Public Feedback on Three Recycling-Related Behaviors in South Korea

Kim, S., Oah, S., & Dickinson, A. (2005). The Impact of Public Feedback on Three Recycling-Related Behaviors in South Korea. Environment & Behavior, 37(2), 258

The effectiveness of posted feedback on recycling in a lounge area at a South Korean university was studied. Participants were college students, professors, and staff members. The dependent variables were the percentage and number of correctly separated aluminum cans, the percentage and number of correctly separated paper cups, and the weight of recycled paper. An A-B-BC-A time series design was used. During baseline (A), separation containers were provided. Posted written feedback was introduced (B) and graphic feedback was added (BC). All feedback was then withdrawn (A). Written feedback resulted in statistically significant increases in all five measures. Although all five measures increased again when graphic feedback was added, none of the increases was statistically significant. When feedback was removed, all but the percentage of correctly separated paper cups decreased significantly. Although the study was of short duration, the results suggest that publicly posted written feedback can increase recycling.

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