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Door-stepping as a strategy for improved food waste recycling behaviour – Evaluation of a full-scale experiment

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  • Bernstad, A.
  • la Cour Jansen, J.
  • Aspegren, A.

Abstract

Comparisons were made between two groups of households in a multi-family residential area in order to investigate how oral information through a door-stepping campaign can influence household food waste recycling behaviour from a quantitative as well as qualitative perspective. Source-separation behaviour was assessed both through weakly weighting of all source-separated food waste and dry recyclables as well as residual waste generated over a period of 104 weeks, as well as repeated waste composition analyses. Introduction of source-separation of food waste for biogas production significantly decreased the generation of residual waste in the whole case-study area. An average generation of 0.72 and 0.71kg, household−1, week−1 of separately collected food waste was found amongst households receiving and not contacted through the door-stepping campaign respectively. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant. Four waste composition analyses show that the average source-separation ratio of food waste was higher and the ratio of incorrectly sorter material lower in the food waste fraction amongst households where oral information had been provided. A decrease over time in the source-separation ratio of food waste amongst households receiving oral information suggests a low durability of the door-stepping campaign. No signs were seen of increased source-separation ratio or decreased ratio of incorrectly sorted material amongst dry recyclables. The study supports previous findings pointing at accessibility as a key factor for increased recycling behaviour. However, results also suggest that such systems must address convenience also in the household interior.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernstad, A. & la Cour Jansen, J. & Aspegren, A., 2013. "Door-stepping as a strategy for improved food waste recycling behaviour – Evaluation of a full-scale experiment," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 94-103.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:73:y:2013:i:c:p:94-103
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2012.12.012
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    3. Wang, Xiaonan & Tzeng, Shian-Yang & Mardani, Abbas, 2022. "Spatial differentiation and driving mechanisms of urban household waste separation behavior in Shanghai, China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    4. Ansink, Erik & Wijk, Louise & Zuidmeer, Frederiek, 2022. "No clue about bioplastics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    5. Wadehra, Shivani & Nie, Zihan & Alpizar, Francisco, 2024. "Disentangling the chicken or egg causality dilemma of household waste sorting and segregated waste collection: A randomized controlled trial in India," EfD Discussion Paper 24-8, Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg.
    6. Dai, Y.C. & Gordon, M.P.R. & Ye, J.Y. & Xu, D.Y. & Lin, Z.Y. & Robinson, N.K.L. & Woodard, R. & Harder, M.K., 2015. "Why doorstepping can increase household waste recycling," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 9-19.
    7. Willman, Kenneth W., 2015. "Information sharing and curbside recycling: A pilot study to evaluate the value of door-to-door distribution of informational literature," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 162-171.
    8. Zhang, Suopeng & Zhang, Mingli & Yu, Xueying & Ren, Hao, 2016. "What keeps Chinese from recycling: Accessibility of recycling facilities and the behavior," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 176-186.

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