Jennifer C. Manuel, Mary Anne Sunseri, Ryan Olson, & Miranda Scolari (2007).
A diagnostic approach to increase reusable dinnerware selection in a cafeteria.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
40, 301-310.
The current project tested a diagnostic approach to selecting interventions to increase
patron selection of reusable dinnerware in a cafeteria. An assessment survey, completed
by a sample of 43 patrons, suggested that the primary causes of wasteful behavior were
(a) environmental arrangement of dinnerware options and (b) competing motivational
variables. A functional relation between environmental arrangement and reusable product
selection was demonstrated in a reversal design. However, the largest effect occurred as function
of a multicomponent intervention involving environmental arrangement, employee involvement, and
personal spoken prompts with motivational signs. The results support the use of informant assessments
when designing community interventions.
DESCRIPTORS: community interventions, environmental interventions, informant assessment, product
reuse, waste reduction