Gamification and Interactive Media for University Waste Sorting: A Digital-Enabled Approach
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: University students display irregular waste sorting practices even with strong environmental consciousness, which underscores a notable disparity between awareness and action that conventional initiatives do not resolve. This research examines the role of gamification and interactive media strategies, such as smart recycling bins, in improving behavioral outcomes and fostering long-term participation. We adopted a mixed-methods strategy that included a nationwide survey of 300 students from 29 Chinese cities alongside an experimental prototype conducted at Nanjing Normal University Taizhou College. The survey identified social media as the most favored interactive channel (93.67%), while demographic differences shaped gamification preferences, such as female students showing a preference for social interaction (70.27%) and challenge-based elements (64.86%). The prototype, which merges AI-driven waste identification with dynamic gamification elements such as points and leaderboards, showed improvements in sorting accuracy and user engagement through real-time feedback and personalized incentives. Usability testing verified its operational effectiveness and motivational influence, although novelty effects were reduced by adaptive challenges. Our results highlight the necessity of customizing interventions to align with demographic preferences while employing technological advances to close the divide between knowledge and application. The research yields practical guidance for creating scalable, culturally responsive approaches aligned with Sustainable Development Goals concerning responsible consumption and sustainable urban development. This research develops practical strategies for promoting sustained pro-environmental behaviors in educational contexts by coordinating behavioral incentives with interactive technologies.
Institution: Mahasarakham University
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7124737698