Why do some people sort their waste without even thinking about it, while others never quite get into the habit? That’s the question of our new study. We surveyed residents in Rome and found that it’s not really about what people know or intend to do. It’s about what they do automatically.

When waste sorting becomes part of your daily routine, you’re far more likely to keep doing it. And what builds those habits? A genuine motivation to protect the environment. We also found that having well-placed, functional recycling bins matters more than you might thin, not because it changes people’s attitudes, but because it makes good habits easier to form and stick.

The practical takeaway for cities and policymakers: don’t just inform people. Help them build routines. Make the right behavior the easy, default behavior.

See for the full paper: Concari, A., Savastano, M., Kok, G. & Martens, P.(2026) Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-026-02519-1