Increasing Approval of Novel Recycling Technologies with Education: A Case Study of Multi-Material Plastic

Jenna R. Holt, Kathy Wang, Dai-Phat Bui, Lance Lobban, Steven Crossley and Adam Feltz ()
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Jenna R. Holt: Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, 455 West Lindsey Street, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Kathy Wang: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
Dai-Phat Bui: Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 455 West Lindsey Street, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Lance Lobban: Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 455 West Lindsey Street, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Steven Crossley: Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 455 West Lindsey Street, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Adam Feltz: Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, 455 West Lindsey Street, Norman, OK 73019, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-21

Abstract: Plastic recycling is an important but complicated issue. Some plastics are currently readily recyclable with existing technologies, whereas others are not. However, the general public often does not appreciate the benefits and costs associated with hard-to-recycle (e.g., multi-material) plastics, potentially causing confusion and, in some cases, backlash. While some methods of relaying information to the public have been previously studied (e.g., infographics, descriptive labeling), educational videos have not. We created an educational video on the properties and functions of single- and multi-material plastic. Participants who viewed the educational video were more knowledgeable about multi-material plastic recycling and had higher intentions to use and be satisfied with a hypothetical recycling company that intends to begin recycling multi-material plastic. Our data suggest that education interventions have the potential to inform and empower the public while protecting common values.

Keywords: plastic recycling; education; framing nudge; choice architecture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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