Feedback to Minimize Household Waste A Field Experiment in The Netherlands

Households can reduce environmental problems by minimizing their waste. Studies suggest that feedback may promote waste minimization. We propose the effectiveness of depends on standard to which is compared. tested effect minimization compared a personal goal (goal comparison feedback), behaviour others (social or one’s past (historical feedback). Furthermore, underlying process explaining yet unclear. influence self-identity, self-efficacy, and descriptive social norms minimize conducted field study in Netherlands. received during six months number residual bags they produce. The results show all intervention groups reduced including control group only information how Yet, neighbourhood did not actual same time period. find clear differences between different standards. any variables. found self-identity was most consistently related self-reported behaviours.