Improving solid waste reduction and recycling performance using goal setting and feedback

A multiple-baseline experiment design across waste streams was used to determine the effectiveness of a goal setting and feedback intervention in bringing about improved solid waste management performance on a sports stadium construction site in Australia. A desktop method was used to measure the volume of timber and construction waste disposed as landfill and recycled. A general index of material usage efficiency and two recycling indices were calculated. Performance was measured each fortnight and formal goal setting and performance feedback were introduced to the timber and concrete waste streams. The intervention was effective in reducing the volume of waste disposed as landfill and increasing material usage efficiency, indicating that solid waste was reduced at source or re-used. Recycling performance did not improve significantly with the introduction of the intervention. This may be due to the way in which construction workers perceive the costs and benefits of recycling.