The Green User. Design for Sustainable Behaviour.

Paper in proceeding, 2011

To reduce the environmental impact of the use phase of products, researchers have suggested applying design strategies for sustainable behaviour. The aim of this study was to evaluate four different design strategies on the basis of longterm acceptability and effectiveness in inducing sustainable behaviours. A literature review was carried out and a model for categorisation of strategies was created containing five categories: Enlighten, Spur, Steer, Force and Match. Four design strategies for sustainable behaviour, belonging to the first four categories, were implemented in prototypes to achieve moderate dosing of washing detergent. The prototypes were distributed to 16 households and a between subject study design was applied. The results indicate that three of the four strategies for many households were both effective and accepted. This suggests that product design can be a feasible way to induce and maintain sustainable behaviour.