Reducing Single-Use Plastics Waste
Personalized behavioral intervention to reduce single-use plastics
Partners
Ministry of Environmental Protection
Collaborators
Dr. Daniella Shidlovski, Anat Halevy, Rotem Levin
The Problem
Plastic pollution caused by disposable utensils is a major threat
to the environment globally. In Israel, the situation is extremely dire due to high rates of consumers’ usage of disposable products. To mitigate these damages, considerable resources are invested in waste treatment infrastructure. However, that does not address the root cause of the problem – the purchase and usage of disposables by Israeli consumers
Our Approach
We address this problem by developing and implementing a series of green nudges, based on the known EAST model, that aim to make the desired behavior (avoiding disposable utensils) easier, more attractive, more socially desirable and more timely relevant to the situation. Through a combination of online experiments, surveys, and field studies, we examine the effectiveness of sets of green nudges on the usage of single-use plastic at different out-of-home environments.
Behavioral Solutions
Our findings will enable policymakers to make more informed evidence-based decisions regarding the adoption and implementation of policy solutions optimally adapted to target audiences in various situations.
Results and Impact
Approach complements traditional policy measures, and encourages significant sustainable behavioral change to substantially reduce the extensive environmental damage caused by disposable products in Israel.