To dump or not to dump, A psychological intervention to reduce littering at recycling containers

Abstract

In Krefeld, several recycling containers happen to be the place of intentional littering. Residents dump garbage right next to the containers. Intentional littering leads to unhygienic and dangerous conditions, which, in turn, force local cleaning services to regularly clean the immediate vicinity. The ‘Fachbereich Umwelt’ and the local waste collection department are striving to reduce intentional littering in several locations to establish a clean and safe environment and to reduce the expenditure of human labor. This research paper suggests psychological intervention as a means to reduce littering.