Reply received from Psychology panel expert.

Ms. Lan,

I believe that much of what we learn begins at home and the type of environments we are brought up in. Children tend to emulate what their parents do - if they eat healthy and are brought up in a family that chooses healthier eating options, that child is potentially more likely to make those same choices when left to their own fruition. Perhaps it is similar with recycling. By reinforcing these sorting techniques, especially in a multi-step program that emphasizes the importance of proper waste management, sorting trash may be woven more into both the lives of adults and children, and have the potential to be reinforced more at home.

It is tough to determine whether mandating is the step that would have to be necessary to achieve zero waste in the near future. I believe that education is the first step that should be taken, but to reinforce it might be necessary to mandate color-coded bins. One might not be entirely independent of the other for success in the long-run of the program.

I hope this helps with your research. Feel free to contact me if you have any follow up questions.

Meghan H.