"In reality, people are the beginning, middle and end of all (conservation) management issues”
- Jacobson & McDuff (1998)
- Jacobson & McDuff (1998)
Research from the Social Sciences
The Social Sciences are defined to be the systematic study of human behavior and interactions. Environmental conerns, such as the use of reusable mugs at the University of Michigan, is an environmental topic that relies upon an understanding of how humans behave and interact. For this reason, our research regarding reusable mugs focused primarily in the social sciences and our recommendations for implementing better reusable mug campaigns at the university were created out of this research.
Sociological Research
Based on a study of reusable mug use at UC Boulder, recommend that Michigan give incoming freshmen the option to purchase a plastic or metal multi-purpose travel mug when selecting meal plans. This could be as simple as checking a box online and the university could distribute the mugs at tables in residence halls or place them in the dorm rooms of students who purchased the mugs for maximum convenience. This initiative could be effective because the ability to simply check a box makes the act of buying a reusable mug very easy. We are also hoping this will make buying a reusable mug seem less cost prohibitive because it is lumped into a purchase that is already costing the student hundreds of dollars. The study at UC Boulder also emphasized the importance of creating norms with respect to the use of reusable mugs. We feel that if this system were put into place, the prevalence of reusable mugs on campus would increase annually because students would observe more of their peers using the mugs each year, making them a desired or necessary commodity. If incoming freshmen believe that having a reusable mug is the norm on campus they will be more likely to purchase one. And if the trend catches on and future classes follow suit, the reusable mug initiative will be campus-wide in only a few years.
Barlow, Lisa, ed. "Reusable Mugs for a Greener Campus: Replacing Disposable Drink Containers with Reusable Mugs at the University of Colorado at Boulder." Sustainable Solutions Consulting (2009). Print.
Monetary incentives are the most common type of action taken by many coffee shops to encourage the use of reusable mugs. Discounts for bringing your own container have created a significant uptake in the use of reusable mugs by coffee shop customers.. Sociological research has proven that the price discount required for one to use a reusable mug while maintaining an internal motivation would be 10 to 15 cents.
Harris, B. K., & Probert, E. J. (2009). Waste minimisation at a welsh university: A viability study using choice modelling. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 53(5), 269. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.12.008
Barlow, Lisa, ed. "Reusable Mugs for a Greener Campus: Replacing Disposable Drink Containers with Reusable Mugs at the University of Colorado at Boulder." Sustainable Solutions Consulting (2009). Print.
Monetary incentives are the most common type of action taken by many coffee shops to encourage the use of reusable mugs. Discounts for bringing your own container have created a significant uptake in the use of reusable mugs by coffee shop customers.. Sociological research has proven that the price discount required for one to use a reusable mug while maintaining an internal motivation would be 10 to 15 cents.
Harris, B. K., & Probert, E. J. (2009). Waste minimisation at a welsh university: A viability study using choice modelling. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 53(5), 269. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.12.008
Psychological Research
Psychology reserach has shown that consumers are more likely to choose a reusable choice when it is more easily accessed and when it is clearly advertised to the consumer. In a study conducted by Manuel et al. (2007), use of resuable dinnerware in dining halls increased when the reusable dinnerware was closer to entrances or the food, employees verbally communicated the benefits of choosing reusable dinnerware, and when posters were displayed throughout the dining hall advertising reusable options. While resuable dinnerware is somewhat different from reusable mug use, reusable mug use could likely increase at the University if mugs were made more readily available to the consumer by selling them at University coffee shops and displaying them clearly on shelves before people buy their coffee. Additionally, employees at campus coffee shops could promote the use of reusable mugs and posters or signs could be displayed in coffee shops reminding consumers to use their reusable mugs.
Manuel et al. study found that an estimated $24,000 were saved when these various methods were implemented within the dining halls.
Manuel, J. C., Sunseri, M. A., Olson, R., & Scolari, M. (2007). A Diagnostic Approach To Increase Reusable Dinnerware Selection In A Cafeteria. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40(2), 301-10.
Manuel et al. study found that an estimated $24,000 were saved when these various methods were implemented within the dining halls.
Manuel, J. C., Sunseri, M. A., Olson, R., & Scolari, M. (2007). A Diagnostic Approach To Increase Reusable Dinnerware Selection In A Cafeteria. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40(2), 301-10.
Education and Communication Research
Du Bois conducted a study examining whether people are more likely to use their reusable mugs if they are educated about the environmental benefits of a reusable mug. The study was carried out by placing pamphlets within coffee mugs that outlined exactly how much waste was created by paper coffee cups. The mugs and pamphlets were given out at various coffee shops to people who were willing to participate and commit to their program. To measure the progress, surveys were given out at the stores that participated after a month. After the study they found that 30% of the 800 mugs that were given out were being reused on a regular basis.
Du Bois, A. (1996). Citys mug program boosts reduction of waste. The American City & County, 111(10), 24-24. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195935223?accountid=14667
Du Bois, A. (1996). Citys mug program boosts reduction of waste. The American City & County, 111(10), 24-24. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195935223?accountid=14667