Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, Vol 23(1), Feb 2023, 24-35; doi:10.1037/bar0000250
Improper disposal of recyclable materials continues to impact environmental sustainability efforts. To produce the greatest environmental change with fewest resources, recyclable materials must be correctly sorted, and nonrecyclable materials must not contaminate the recycling bin. Antecedent environmental modifications have been successful at increasing sustainability-related behavior. Most research has focused on increasing correct recycling, and fewer studies have evaluated the effect of these interventions on contamination of nonrecyclables in the recycling bin. In the current study, researchers evaluated the effects of environmental modifications on recycling and contamination in two academic hallways on a college campus. Antecedent modifications in the form of signs, bin placement, and a food and liquid bin or a specialized recycling bin lid were examined. Results from previous research was partially replicated in the current study. Differences between hallways along both measures suggest that contamination rate is an underutilized but important metric in the evaluation of recycling efforts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)