The Use of Posted Feedback to Promote Recycling

A four-week ABA design was employed to investigate the effects of posted feedback on paper recycling on a college campus. During the feedback condition, a sign was posted in the college mailroom indicating the number of pounds of paper collected the previous day. During the two-week intervention period, feedback increased paper recycling 76.7% above the baseline level. During the one-week follow-up period, when the sign was removed, the positive effects of feedback continued, with paper recycling 48.3% above the baseline level. The implications of these findings for maintaining participation in recycling programs were explored.