Short answer

To scale up upcycling, focus on interventions that address psychological drivers and target specific demographics, moving beyond just product design to encompass broader behavioural and policy changes.

Field: Sustainability
Source: Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (2017)
Method: Mixed-methods research combining qualitative interviews, questionnaires, surveys, and a semi-Delphi expert workshop.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Understanding the motivations and barriers for upcycling allows for the development of targeted design and policy interventions to promote this sustainable practice. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository). Using Mixed-methods research combining qualitative interviews, questionnaires, surveys, and a semi-delphi expert workshop., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: To scale up upcycling, focus on interventions that address psychological drivers and target specific demographics, moving beyond just product design to encompass broader behavioural and policy changes.

Study

SustainabilityHigh ImpactModerate effect

Upcycling interventions can scale niche environmentally significant behaviour

Understanding the motivations and barriers for upcycling allows for the development of targeted design and policy interventions to promote this sustainable practice.

Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) · 2017

Key Findings

01Upcycling can lead to high product attachment and longevity.
02Key behavioural factors influencing upcycling intention include attitude and subjective norm.
03Individuals in art and design fields, aged 30 and older, are a potential target group for scaling up upcycling.
0415 promising design and policy interventions were identified and evaluated for feasibility and impact.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Identify the psychological and social factors that influence sustainable behaviours within your design context. Develop and test interventions that address these factors, considering both product design and broader system-level changes.

Project actions

01When researching user behaviour, consider both individual motivations and social influences.
02Think about how design interventions can be supported by policy or community initiatives.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the key behavioural factors influencing upcycling, and how can design and policy interventions be developed and evaluated to scale up this niche environmentally significant behaviour?

MethodMixed-methods research combining qualitative interviews, questionnaires, surveys, and a semi-Delphi expert workshop.

ProcedureConducted interviews to understand current upcycling practices and influencing factors. A short questionnaire explored product attachment. A survey identified key behavioural factors and target demographics. A semi-Delphi method was used to explore and evaluate potential design and policy interventions with experts.

ContextHousehold upcycling behaviour in the UK.

Variables

IV["Design and policy interventions","Demographic characteristics (e.g., age, occupation)"]

DV["Upcycling intention","Upcycling behaviour","Product attachment","Perceived feasibility and impact of interventions"]

CV["Geographic location (UK)","Socio-economic status (potentially)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilizes a mixed-methods approach for comprehensive data collection.
+Employs a structured expert consultation method (semi-Delphi) for intervention evaluation.

Limitations

Generalizing findings from a specific cultural context (UK) to other regions may be challenging. Expert opinions in the Delphi method can be subjective.

Reliability & validity

The use of multiple data collection methods (interviews, surveys, Delphi) enhances the reliability and validity of the findings. However, the reliance on self-reported data and expert opinions introduces potential for bias.

Think critically

To what extent can design interventions alone drive widespread adoption of upcycling, or are external policy and economic factors more critical?

Design Principles

"Design for behaviour change by understanding and influencing user motivations and social contexts."

As designers, we can influence consumer behaviour towards more sustainable practices. By identifying key drivers and potential target groups for upcycling, we can create products and systems that encourage material longevity and reduce waste.

What This Means for Your Design

This study shows that to get more people to upcycle (turn old things into new, better things), we need to understand why they do it and then create specific plans and designs to encourage them, especially targeting people who already like art and design.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the need for behaviour-change interventions in your design project.
2.Refer to the identified behavioural factors (attitude, subjective norm) when analysing user needs and motivations.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the importance of understanding behavioural drivers for sustainable practices, such as upcycling. By identifying key factors like attitude and subjective norm, and exploring targeted interventions, designers can effectively scale niche environmentally significant behaviours, contributing to reduced waste and extended material lifecycles.

Source

Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository)

Sustainable production and consumption by upcycling : understanding and scaling-up niche environmentally significant behaviour

journal · 2017

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about upcycling interventions can scale niche environmentally significant behaviour?: To scale up upcycling, focus on interventions that address psychological drivers and target specific demographics, moving beyond just product design to encompass broader behavioural and policy changes. Evidence: Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (2017).
Why does "Upcycling interventions can scale niche environmentally significant behaviour" matter for design?: As designers, we can influence consumer behaviour towards more sustainable practices. By identifying key drivers and potential target groups for upcycling, we can create products and systems that encourage material longevity and reduce waste.
How can designers apply this research?: To scale up upcycling, focus on interventions that address psychological drivers and target specific demographics, moving beyond just product design to encompass broader behavioural and policy changes.
What were the main findings?: Upcycling can lead to high product attachment and longevity.. Key behavioural factors influencing upcycling intention include attitude and subjective norm.. Individuals in art and design fields, aged 30 and older, are a potential target group for scaling up upcycling.. 15 promising design and policy interventions were identified and evaluated for feasibility and impact.
What research method was used?: Mixed-methods research combining qualitative interviews, questionnaires, surveys, and a semi-Delphi expert workshop..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2017 journal from Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository).
What should I do differently in my next project?: Identify the psychological and social factors that influence sustainable behaviours within your design context. Develop and test interventions that address these factors, considering both product design and broader system-level changes.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on UK-specific factors and may not be generalizable to all cultural contexts. The semi-Delphi method relies on expert opinion, which can introduce bias.