Yes, I can see how that works, but I’m sure that with people who consider themselves tolerably intelligent and capable of independent thought, it can easily backfire. Your towel example is a case in point:

“Which request to reuse hotel towels gets the greatest response? Help save the environment by reusing your towels OR Join other guests that already reuse their towels.”

I would likely be more easily persuaded by the first argument.

Although I believe that interdependence is often more valuable to a society than independence, I am personally put off by the thought of joining other guests in reusing towels.

As a matter of fact, I am surprised that argument would work with the majority of people.