Does the implementation of penalties have an impact on residential waste separation? A paper published by the Polish Journal of Environmental Studies sought to answer this question. Researchers Mengge Hao and Shichun Xu analyzed the impact of waste penalties on the residents in Zhengzhou, a city in China. The paper they authored presents guidelines for the local government to improve the waste separation behavior (WSB) of residents. The study conducted by Hao and Xu received financial support from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
Zhengzhou was one of 46 cities to pilot mandatory waste separation in China, and the policy was incorporated into the legal framework in late 2019. Those who do not sort waste appropriately are fined about $7.50 (U.S. dollars).
New regulations were enacted in Shanghai in mid-2019 to mandate individuals and companies in Shanghai to sort and recycle their garbage. Waste must be separated into four categories: recyclables, such as cans and bottles; harmful waste such as medical waste and batteries; food and other waste from the kitchen; and all other garbage. Residents who don’t follow the regulations are fined up to $29.
The first of the findings from “The Impact of Penalty on Residents’ Waste Separation Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model” was that penalty certainty and penalty severity both had a positive influence on WSB. Hao and Xu also found that residents with higher trust in authority were more often compelled to correctly separate their waste for collection.
In their research paper, Hao and Xu offer recommendations to increase compliance with waste separation policies. Here are some of the highlights:
The probability of penalty for non-compliance should be emphasized.
Residents’ trust in the authorities of waste separation management should be valued. In order to avoid the ineffective connection, the government should make improvements in the processes of waste collection, transportation, and recycling.
Communities can inform residents that penalty exists by posting notices to remind them to comply. The government can release public service announcements related to waste separation through new media platforms, such as short-form videos, official accounts, and subway advertising.