1/4 In Breda there is a lot of junk next to the containers (photo: local resident).
In Den Bosch, but also in many other places in Brabant, the waste piles up next to containers. That’s because the behavior of others influences us to do the same ourselves. “If there is already waste there, someone else will put their waste next to it sooner,” says behavioral scientist Kees Keizer. The solution, he says, is for municipalities not only to punish offenders, but also to show that most people are doing well.
“If you have taken the trouble to go to the container and it turns out to be full, the temptation is very great to put your bag next to it. Nobody likes to take garbage back home.”
“Indignation that the container was not laid on time gives people an excuse,” explains Keizers. To prevent waste dumping, people must therefore be able to dispose of their garbage bags.
“The step to dump a sofa is smaller.”
Once there are garbage bags next to a container, things move quickly. “Then the step to dump a couch is a lot smaller. We tend to copy each other’s behavior. If we see garbage, we think others won’t find it a problem.”
Social control can make people behave differently. “If you know your neighbors can drink the blood of people who dump garbage, you’re less likely to do it.”
Municipalities should focus on the positive, says Keizer. “Putting waste in the container is still normal for most people. But you just don’t notice it. If municipalities show that most people do it well, others will also be motivated to do it.”
Local politicians in Den Bosch want to install hidden cameras and fine people who dump waste next to containers. “That can certainly help, but it also shows the positive: that many people are doing well and find this important,” says the behavioral scientist. “If you just issue fines, people will stop as soon as the camera doesn’t work. You want these people to see that others are doing it because it’s right.”
“You want people to see that it’s good.”
The fact that the waste policy differs per municipality does not help, he says. The rates for collecting containers vary widely. This also applies to the delivery of waste at the recycling centers.
“With one clear policy it is easier to spread one message”, Keizer thinks. A pat on the back for all those people who are doing well, seems like a nice message to him.
READ ALSO:
Dumping waste next to containers seems commonplace: ‘Asocial’
Mess at underground containers: are hidden cameras the solution?