Reduce, Reuse, Reframe your Behavior (2022)

While the importance of recycling is culturally and socially recognized, many people still do not understand or follow correct recycling practices. Our research considers whether different signage for recycling bins might improve the recycling behaviors of SUNY Potsdam’s undergraduates. We will assess current recycling behavior by conducting an audit of trash and recycling bins in dormitory trash-sorting rooms. Dorm residents also will be surveyed anonymously and asked to self-assess their recycling behavior. Then, new recycling signage will be posted in dorm waste rooms. One week after the signage is posted, data will be collected through a second trash/recycling audit and a second survey of dorm residents. We hypothesize that recycling signage will positively impact recycling behavior of the students. Our research contributes to the understanding of recycling behavior of undergraduate dorm residents and might lead to reduction of the total amount of waste produced at SUNY Potsdam.