Reusable Mugs
The research we identified focuses on Psychology, Sociology, Education, and Economics. Below you can find summaries of our most applicable findings.
Social Science Research
Education
The Piedmont Project used teaching sustainable methods to encourage new forms of community engagement.
This research shows that it is important to extend beyond awareness of environmental and sustainability problems to include awareness of solutions and motivation to work towards them.
Eisen, A., Barlett, P., (2006). The Piedmont Project: Fostering faculty development toward sustainability. The Journal of Environmental Education, 38(1), 25-36.
Sociology
Sociological studies on the subject utilized surveys and data analysis in order to evaluate the impact of reusable mug use on university students as a group. Results found that people naturally have the desire to form relationships with others. The most effective way to change individual and group behavior is through social influences. It was found that consumers make decisions about what to buy based on how they will be perceived by others. To gain acceptance, people will generally gravitate toward more “ethical” products (such as products not tested on animals or green or recycled products).
Alsop, J., Field, T., Kalkreuth, J., Kemp, J., Malach, S., & Popper, A. (2004). Reusable mugs: Reducing waste on Dalhousie’s Studley campus. Professer Tarah Wright: ENVS3502: Dalhousie University.
Kelman, H. C. (1961). Processes of opinion change. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 25(1), 57.
Newholm, T. (2007). Studying the ethical consumer: a review of research. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 6(5), 253-270.
Economics
The economic studies we evaluated used surveys to evaluate the benefits of different tactics to encourage reusable mug use. The studies found people need a small incentive in order to use reusable mugs. Findings also showed that women were more likely to start using reusable mugs, whereas men, especially first year undergraduates, needed a much larger incentive to use reusable mugs.
Harris, B.K, Probert, E.J. Waste minimization at a Welsh university: a viability study using choice modeling. (2009). Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 53(5), 269-275.
Psychology
These psychological studies used surveys and questionnaires to evaluate the impact of reusable mugs on individuals. Findings of the studies show that creation of social norms can encourage reusable mug use. Use of prompts to remind people to bring their mugs with them, as well as signs in coffee shops reminding customers to use reusable and are both effective tactics to encourage reusable mug use.
Marx, C., Kerr, C., San Filippo, D., & Martin, P. (2009). Reusable mugs for a greener campus: replacing disposable drink containers with reusable mugs at the University of Colorado at Boulder. University of Colorado Final Report ENVS, 3001.
Ziada, H. (2009). Disposable coffee cup waste reduction study. Unpublished Manuscript, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. Retrieved from Http://msep.Mcmaster.ca/epp/publications/DisposableCofeeCup.Pdf.