On January 30th, the kick-off meeting of the project "Design and behavioural research study to create evidence-based, EU harmonised consumer waste sorting labels" took place. The project is promoted by the JRC, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

Over the next year and a half, the Department of Design, a partner in the initiative, will be involved in research that combines approaches typical of participatory design and behavioural science with the aim of designing a new labelling system for waste separation that is harmonised at European level and applicable to both packaging and containers.

The main objective of the project is to make it easier for consumers to separate waste by improving the recycling system in order to achieve the goals set by the EU for 2030, which include further reduction of waste, especially packaging waste.

The research team will conduct an in-depth analysis of the existing labelling system, perform extensive consumer testing and implementing co-creation practices with citizens to define the principles that will guide the design of the new system.

To learn more about the topic, it is recommended to consult the article "Where should I dispose of this?" which provides a better understanding of the EU Policy Lab initiatives to support waste reduction policy.