Meet Refuse Refuse!

After much preparation throughout the last year, we are excited to introduce “Refuse Refuse!” - an interactive arts installation project, inspired by behavioural-change research, to be presented at the Clinton Global Initiative University conference in approximately a month’s time.

The physical project will see daylight later in the year, piloting at the University of Edinburgh with further potential in other universities and schools across the city and the UK. But before this, there’s still plenty of work to be done, from drafting and building to funding and publicity. The project planning was mostly done as a part of our application to Clinton Global Initiative University, and we thought it would be good to share the plans with all of you. Comments are wholeheartedly welcome, and if you would like to collaborate or help please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Essentially, “Refuse Refuse!” wants to refuse accumulating more refuse on campus and raise awareness of how closed-loop systems can mitigate climate change and improve working conditions for waste workers.

“Refuse Refuse!” was initiated as a Clinton Global Initiative University project, which means that it was designed to be new, measurable and attainable right from the start. ‘’Refuse Refuse!’’ advocates for sustainable, climate-conscious behaviour by addressing the carbon footprint of disposable items and poor recycling practices, combining art, academic behavioural-change research and environmental advocacy. We approach waste-management problems through the medium of accessible, interactive theatre installations, informed by behavioural psychology.

The initial project of the RR team is a portable theatre installation replicating a recycling conveyor belt of a waste facility. Theatre installations are especially suited to behavioural-change work, with their ability to be social, interactive, emotional, non-judgemental and fun. The “Refuse Refuse!” project is inspired by visits to Edinburgh’s municipal recycling facility, and presents to university students the reality of waste and recycling, addressing their individual values and knowledge, while engaging them in a sociable experience both through their engagement with the installation and through social-media networks. This addresses the Social and Individual aspects of the three-part ISM model of behavioural change - the aspects most lacking in the university context, as we see it.

The objective of “Refuse Refuse!” is to engage students to reduce, refuse or recycle waste properly; as mentioned above, we aim to shorten the disconnect between waste and how it’s processed through hands-on, memorable participation in an art installation. In the short-term, our goal is to build an understanding among students of waste management and recycling; in the long-term we aim to create social norms of waste reduction and good recycling practices. We want to lead the change for a sustainable future by encouraging students to see the impact of their actions on others and on the environment.

In short, our project will encourage people to “Refuse Refuse”!