Enhancement of Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottles Recycling in Mauritius Through the Creation of a Mobile Application

Abstract

One million plastic bottles is currently consumed every minute in the world. This consumption trend is expected to further increase thereby worsening the problem of plastic pollution across the globe. Mauritius is also not left unaffected by plastic pollution and an increase in consumption of plastic bottles. Although plastic recycling is encouraged on the island, low recycling rate has been recorded (40%). In this context, this research attempts to enhance the solid waste management methods of Mauritius, more specifically in terms of PET beverage bottles, by creating a persuasive technological tool that promotes recycling behavior among the citizens of Mauritius. The persuasive technological tool developed is a mobile application which allows its users to locate their nearest recycling bins while also providing them with facts about the effects and significance of plastic pollution and recycling respectively. The tool also included a survey page for gathering data on demographic, the recycling attitude/ behavior of the users prior to and after the introduction of the tool and on the functionalities of the tool itself. The results showed that the tool helped 80% of the users in initiating their recycling activities while the rest reported that the tool helped them increase those activities.