Does recycling trash in the dining hall make students smile or does seeing a smiley face emoji make students recycle their trash?
Recycling trash may make students smile, but research conducted at Kent State proves that seeing a smiley face emoji will make students more prone to recycle their trash, according to the results of the research, which was conducted during Fall Semester 2022.
The research project “Effects of a Smiley Face on University Students Recycling Behavior at a College Cafeteria” was led by Kiwon Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration within Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services.
Lee is also the program coordinator for the online Master of Science degree in hospitality and tourism management.
The increase in recycling behavior solicited by the smiley face is particularly great news to report during Earth Month 2023.
“Students recycled more when they saw the smiley face (emoji use) above recycling bins compared to those who saw only the text of RECYCLE,” Lee explained. “It implies that the emoji, in addition to traditional text promotions, attracted students’ attention better and encouraged them to recycle more actively.”
The research was conducted between November and December 2022, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the Food 4 Thought Café in White Hall and the Hub at the Kent Student Center.
Further analyses also narrowed down the impact of the emoji by showing that the effect of the emoji was apparent only when students were with someone else, Lee said.
“Specifically, when students were present with someone, significantly more students recycled in the emoji condition,” according to Lee.
The research was conducted by Lee and co-researcher, Seonjeong (Ally) Lee, Ph.D., a former Kent State faculty member who now works at Purdue University. It was funded by the Food Service Systems Management Education Council. The council has research grants available for members and graduate student members, sponsors sessions at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, and offers a biennial meeting with continuing professional education sessions and networking.
When asked whether Lee would recommend the use of smiley faces in the dining halls to encourage recycling behavior, Lee said her team is preparing to explore what type of emoji is most effective and whether more assertive wording is needed.
So, look out for the angry face emoji coming to a dining hall near you.