10.2190/RT1H-V8LQ-KPEW-5EQG RT1HV8LQKPEW5EQG 9 Recycling Beverage Containers on a College Campus 189 202 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 RT1HV8LQKPEW5EQG.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=RT1HV8LQKPEW5EQG 2 Paul D. Luyben Susan B. Warren Terry A. Tallman State University of New York, College at Cortland Current and anticipated shortages of energy, materials and landfill space have prompted interest in finding cost-effective ways to encourage recycling of scarce resources. One significant source of waste involves the disposal of steel and aluminum beverage containers as trash. The present research sought to increase recycling of beverage containers in college dormitories. Previous research has shown that prompts and reduced response cost can increase recycling. In the present research a multiple baseline design was used in which a single recycling container was first placed in each of four college dormitories. Subsequently, five additional containers were added to each of three dorms at successive, approximately three week intervals. Poster and flyer prompts which encouraged recycling were used throughout both conditions. Additional posters were also distributed when the multiple container procedure was implemented. The results showed substantial increases in recycling of both aluminum and steel cans when the multiple container procedure was used relative to the single container procedure. Data on the cost-effectiveness of these procedures and suggestions for future research are presented. P. H. Abelson and A. L. Hammond, The New World of Materials, <i>Science, 191</i>:4228, pp. 633-636, 1976. H. H. Landsberg, Materials: Some Recent Trends and Issues, <i>Science, 191</i>: 4227, pp. 637-641, 1976. B. Hannon, System Energy and Recycling, NTIS Report PB-233-183, March, 1973. D. Wahl and R. L. Bancroft, Solid Waste Management Today … Bring About Municipal Change, <i>Nations' Cities</i>, pp. 17-32, August, 1975. H. E. Goeller and A. M. Weinberg, The Age of Substitutability, <i>Science, 191</i>:4228, pp. 683-689, 1976. <i>Cortland Standard</i>, Communities Get Greater Say Over Landfills Under New Program, p. 13, May 26, 1978. P. W. Laws, An Ecological Approach to Solid Waste Management, <i>Environmental Action Bulletin, 5</i>:22, pp. 4-5, 1974. E. S. Geller, J. L. Chaffee and R. E. Ingram, Promoting Paper Recycling on a University Campus, <i>Journal of Environment Systems, 5</i>, pp. 39-57, 1975. P. D. Luyben and J. S. Bailey, The Effects of Rewards and Proximity of Containers on Newspaper Recycling, <i>Environment and Behavior</i>, in press. D. H. Reid, P. D. Luyben, R. J. Rawers and J. S. Bailey, The Effects of Prompting and Proximity of Containers on Newspaper Recycling Behavior, <i>Environment and Behavior, 8:3</i>, pp. 471-483, 1976. M. Hersen and D. H. Barlow, Solid Waste Management Today … Bring About Municipal Change, <i>Nation's Cities</i>, pp. 17-32, August, 1975.