The psychology of getting packaging into the right bin | A behaviour change intervention to increase the collection of compostable packaging in closed loop environments
Date: 19 March
Location: Online (Teams)
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
Many workplaces have a collection scheme in place to capture compostable packaging and take it for industrial composting. However, this relies on individuals choosing the right bin, in office environments where recycling rates are often low.
This webinar shares results from a recent research project run as part of the Compostable Coalition UK and working with the University of Sheffield, Hubbub, Recorra and Vegware. Whilst this research focused on compostable packaging, the learnings are applicable across all waste streams.
Speakers:
- Dr Nicola Buckland, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Sheffield
- Rosie Sharp, Creative Partner – Plastics and Packaging, Hubbub
- Tom Mockridge, Strategy Director, Recorra
- Lucy Frankel, Environmental and Communications Director, Vegware
Compostable packaging company Vegware and recycling collector Recorra work together in London to help shared clients set up composting schemes, providing comprehensive waste consultancy and onboarding support. However, seeing variation in how clients engage with these schemes, Vegware and Recorra enlisted academics to help.
University of Sheffield psychologists applied behavioural science theory (COM-B model, Michie, 2011) to develop and evaluate an intervention to encourage staff at three workplaces to dispose of compostable packaging appropriately so that it can be industrially composted.
Working alongside the psychologists, messaging experts at Hubbub created the suite of communications tools used in the trial. Vegware created an updated engagement film. Recorra performed waste audits before and after the interventions.
The webinar will:
- share this trial’s results
- explore challenges and solutions
- give recommendations for implementing effective workplace composting and recycling schemes
- end with a Q&A
