The best nudge

The amount of household waste is growing rapidly worldwide, while only a fraction is recycled. A decisive lever lies in the consistent separation of waste directly in households. Classic information campaigns often fall short. An alternative approach is offered by the nudge theory. With small changes in everyday life, people can be persuaded to separate waste more reliably, without coercion or financial incentives. The central question, however, is: What type of nudge works best - and in which living environment? The study "Which nudge works best? Testing Interventions for recyclable waste across residential types" by Thai researchers examines three measures - information messages, physical adaptations of collection points and feedback based on social comparisons - and compares their effect in single-family houses, terraced housing estates and apartment buildings. The aim is to derive practical recommendations on how waste separation can be efficiently promoted. The study was published in "Cleaner Waste Systems".