Search Results (97)

This research investigates consumers’ perceptions of the disposable cup deposit system using the theory of effort minimization as a theoretical foundation. Return convenience was specified as the independent variable based on the theory of effort minimization, and attitude and behavioral intention as the key outcome variables; moral norm, environmental concern, and age were included as moderators. Data were collected from 400 Korean consumers through a professional survey firm, and the proposed model was tested using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 5). Return convenience was positively associated with both attitude and behavioral intention, and attitude was in turn positively associated with behavioral intention. Moral norm and environmental concern significantly moderated the association between return convenience and behavioral intention. The age interaction was negative and only marginally significant, suggesting that this association may be weaker rather than stronger among older respondents, contrary to what was hypothesized; this pattern should therefore be regarded as tentative. Because the data were cross-sectional and self-reported, the findings describe patterns of association rather than causal relationships. By clarifying the relationships among these six constructs, this study advances understanding of consumers’ perceptions of the disposable cup deposit system and offers insights into how individual characteristics are related to consumers’ responses to, and intentions to participate in, the system. Full article

The Circular Economy (CE) offers an alternative to the traditional “take–make–dispose” model and is increasingly important in hospitality due to the sector’s high resource consumption. This systematic review analyzes 159 studies published between 1995 and 2024, sourced from ABI, BSP, and WoS, and consolidates scattered knowledge on CE practices in hotels. It outlines five strategies for transitioning to CE: energy efficiency, renewable energy, water management, waste reduction, and carbon footprint reduction. These are supported by green procurement, local supply chains, eco-certifications, and regenerative branding, all of which help hotels fulfill stakeholder expectations and support local economies. Guest engagement—through nudges, incentives, co-creation, and digital tools for monitoring and feedback—is becoming increasingly important. The review shows that CE adoption is driven by internal factors such as leadership, staff training, culture, and resources, as well as external factors such as regulation, institutional pressure, and consumer demand for authenticity. Effective collaboration among managers, staff, suppliers, policymakers, and certifiers is essential for achieving systemic adoption. CE is moving from operational efficiency to broad innovation benefiting the environment, economy, and society, despite financial, regulatory, and behavioral challenges. Future research should prioritize establishing measurement standards, addressing scalability issues, and evaluating the global effectiveness of implementation. Full article

As e-commerce expands, packaging increasingly serves as a communication interface in at-home consumer environments, where it may influence how consumers interpret sustainability. Unlike retail settings, where disposal decisions may be externally guided, consumers in e-commerce contexts rely on material cues and on-package information to interpret recyclability and brand intent. This study aims to examine how paper-based and plastic packaging influence visual attention, disposal behavior, and brand perception in apparel e-commerce. A controlled experimental study (n = 91) was conducted using mobile eye-tracking, behavioral observation, post-experience surveys, and follow-up interviews. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three packaging conditions: a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bag, a translucent paper bag, or a hybrid paper-based bag combining kraft and translucent materials. Results show that paper-based formats generated greater visual engagement than plastic, with translucent paper eliciting longer fixation duration and higher fixation count (p < 0.05). Recycling rates were higher for paper-based formats (70–77%) than plastic (53%), though not statistically significant. Perceived eco-friendliness differed significantly, with the hybrid paper format more strongly associated with environmental responsibility (p < 0.001). Qualitative findings indicate that material statements and disposal instructions improve confidence in interpreting recyclability. These results suggest that packaging material plays a role in shaping consumer attention and perceived eco-friendliness in e-commerce contexts. Full article

When finished with an electronic device, consumers choose between storing, recycling, giving away, trading-in, reselling, or throwing it away. This choice has environmental and data privacy implications, e.g., reuse of devices is generally environmentally preferable to recycling, which is better than throwing away in the trash. Through a survey of 4000 U.S. consumers and regression analysis, this study analyzes how stated attitude and knowledge connect to consumers’ previous and planned disposition choices. The binomial regression model (pseudo-$R^2=13\%$) models the decision to store or not store a device. Important factors leading to increased likelihood of storing are data security concerns when recycling (+14%) or reselling (+9%), lack of knowledge of recycling (+10%), and wanting a backup of data (+11%). Notably, data security concerns when recycling or reselling were significant for past behavior, but not for intended behavior. This suggests consumers take data security more seriously when faced with the actual disposition decision. Multinomial regression (pseudo-$R^2=15\%$) is used to model which non-storage option is chosen. Knowledge of (+47%) and perceived convenience (+9%) of recycling programs were important in consumers choosing to recycle, reselling of devices was strongly influenced by knowledge of reuse markets. Full article

This study reveals that a primarily ignored but crucial environmental situation—social crowding—can affect consumers’ sustainable behavior. The present research proposes a causal relationship between social crowding and consumer recycling behavior. Drawing on resource depletion theory and self-affirmation theory, three experiments were conducted across product recycling, participation in a brand-sponsored recycling program, and waste sorting activities. The results show that consumers exposed to crowded (vs. uncrowded) environments are less likely to engage in recycling. Study 1 provides initial evidence of this negative effect, demonstrating that it stems from crowd density rather than from the sheer number of people in the environment. Study 2 identifies ego depletion as the underlying mediating mechanism. Study 3 further demonstrates that self-affirmation attenuates the negative effect of social crowding on recycling behavior by mitigating ego depletion. These findings suggest that social crowding is an important situational barrier to recycling and that self-affirmation may serve as an effective intervention for promoting sustainable disposal behavior in dense consumption settings. This article concludes with a general discussion of the findings and practical implications for extending the relevant literature and benefiting consumer well-being, as well as promoting sustainable development. Full article

Sustainability considerations increasingly influence food packaging design, with recyclability serving as a prominent, consumer-facing indicator of environmental responsibility. However, recyclable design alone does not ensure correct consumer disposal, particularly for materials requiring specialized recycling pathways. This study examined consumer disposal behavior for used Colby-Jack cheese stick packaging containing non-recyclable food-contact components and secondary packaging that was non-recyclable, recyclable, or conditionally recyclable, as indicated by the How2Recycle (H2R) labeling system for consumer packaged goods commonly used in the US and Canada. Using a controlled, in-person kitchen clean-up simulation, 105 adult participants disposed of three commercially representative packaging formats differing in material type (flexible plastic films and corrugated fiberboard) and recyclability. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: no recycling label, H2R label only, or H2R label plus brief educational instruction on label interpretation. Widely recyclable corrugated fiberboard trays were placed into the recycling bin significantly more often than all other packaging components (p < 0.0001), and the presence of an H2R label increased consumer recycling of this material relative to NoLabel (p = 0.0401), while additional education did not further improve outcomes. In contrast, attempts at consumer recycling store drop-off recyclable flexible plastic packaging increased significantly only when education accompanied labeling (p = 0.0038). Non-recyclable food-contact wrappers showed uniformly low recycling rates across all conditions. Wishcycling occurred among 18.9% of participants and was more frequent in the YesLabel group (p = 0.0433). These findings indicate that material familiarity strongly influences correct recycling behavior and that labeling alone may be insufficient for less familiar recyclable materials. Full article

In the urban and peri-urban areas across Sub-Saharan Africa, rapid urbanization, population growth and changes in consumer behavior have resulted in large volumes of biodegradable waste, most of which is disposed of through open dumping and landfilling. These practices contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, contamination of water bodies and declining soil productivity. This research assesses the impact of vermicomposting technology for the production of biofertilizers on the environment in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on its role in sustainable waste management, soil health restoration and environmental resilience. Vermicomposting is the biological conversion of organic waste into nutrient-rich vermicompost and vermiwash using earthworms as catalysts. The process is low-cost, decentralized and appropriate for rural and urban setups. This research embraces a mixed methods approach, based on field observations, compost and soil analysis, structured interviews with farmers and waste managers and policy document reviews from case studies in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. The results showed that vermicomposting reduced organic waste volumes by 50–60%, decreased manure pH from 8.5 to 7.0 and increased NPK concentrations by 50%, demonstrating its effectiveness as a waste stabilization technology. Regardless of ecological advantages, implementation is still minimal owing to policy gaps, limited technical skills and inadequate institutional backing. This study shows how waste can be turned into useful resources, supports efforts to restore damaged land and points out policy issues that slow down progress. It concludes that vermicomposting technology holds significant potential to improve environmental quality and promote sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. Scaling its impact will require integration into national policies, investment in education and community engagement and incentives for decentralized implementation. This approach can foster greener and more resilient communities across the region. Full article

The clothing and textile industry is under increasing pressure to comply with European sustainability directives, including the European Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the revised Waste Framework Directive, effective October 2025. While global interest in sustainable textile practices grows, limited research has examined clothing consumption and disposal behaviors in Greece, particularly through the lens of practice theory. This study addresses that gap by exploring the dynamics of these practices using a structured questionnaire distributed online via Google Forms in 2024 with 250 valid responses. Chi-square (χ²) tests and regressions analyses were used to assess associations among certain categorical variables. Our findings reveal that older consumers tend to spend more on clothing and show a preference for fast fashion. Frequent shoppers also lean toward fast fashion, yet they demonstrate greater concern for material composition. Higher sustainability awareness is associated with a preference for purchasing fewer garments or opting for higher-quality items. Notably, discomfort with recycled materials predicts reluctance toward industrial recycling and reinforces the tendency to choose durable clothing that lasts longer. Full article

Food waste remains a significant challenge in the European Union, reflecting structural differences across economic sectors and member states. This study examines how macroeconomic conditions relate to sectoral food waste using harmonized Eurostat data for the EU-27, covering five stages of the food chain and three economic indicators: GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita, adjusted gross disposable income per capita, and the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices for food. The research design integrates factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and hierarchical clustering. Results show that income-related variables have a positive, statistically significant effect on overall food waste, particularly in manufacturing and distribution. In contrast, food prices show a negative, statistically non-significant relationship with waste generation. Cluster analysis identifies two statistically distinct country groups; however, substantial internal heterogeneity indicates that these clusters reflect structural economic configurations rather than typological or behavioral categories. The findings suggest that macroeconomic factors partially explain cross-country differences in food waste and support the need for context-sensitive, sector-specific policy interventions. Full article

Plastic packaging has severe environmental consequences but remains dominant in the German potted herb sector. This interdisciplinary study examined both plant physiological performance and consumer behavior to assess the viability of plastic-free packaging for basil, parsley, and mint. We investigated (i) how plastic and plastic-free pots and wraps perform under real production, transportation, and household environmental conditions and (ii) how consumers perceive, use, and dispose of these packaging types in everyday life. Quantitative measurements of temperature, humidity, plant quality, and pot degradation were collected along two supply chains and in 25 households using data loggers and standardized quality assessments. Qualitative insights into consumer practices were obtained through interviews, diaries, photographs, and voice messages during two-week winter and summer household studies. Results show that suboptimal transport temperatures fall below species-specific thresholds, compromising herb quality regardless of packaging type, while plantable pots degrade prematurely under certain cultivation conditions. Although consumers perceive plastic-free alternatives positively, plantable pots were rarely planted and were often disposed of incorrectly. The findings reveal both technical and behavioral barriers that limit the adoption of plastic-free packaging. By integrating upstream supply chain performance with downstream consumer behavior, this study provides insights to guide the development of sustainable, consumer-centric packaging solutions. Full article

Theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs and shopping routines are strong predictors of food waste behavior, while socio-demographic factors show mixed and weaker associations. We analyzed survey data from a nationally representative sample of 1066 U.S. households, measuring self-reported food waste frequency across meals, food types, and disposal methods. We applied k-medoid clustering on 19 TPB constructs and 25 shopping characteristics to identify three distinct consumer segments. “Structured Planners” (Cluster 1) showed the most deliberate shopping habits and strongest engagement in food waste reduction. “Flexible Planners” (Cluster 2) shared similar waste outcomes but approached shopping with greater spontaneity, while “Younger Wasters” (Cluster 3) were younger, lower-income, and less educated, with casual shopping habits, lower ratings of TPB constructs, and the highest food waste frequency overall. These distinct behavioral profiles enable policymakers to directly identify and target specific demographic segments for tailored food waste interventions. Particularly, “Younger Wasters” reported a significantly higher food waste frequency at 6.7 times per week, while “Structured Planners” and “Flexible Planners” were statistically similar at approximately 4.6 and 4.4 times per week. Dinner is the meal resulting in the most food waste across all groups, and “Younger Wasters” reported the highest frequency of waste in protein, oil, and grain. Post-clustering ANOVA analysis tested the predictive power of TPB, shopping characteristics, and cluster membership on food waste frequency. Results show that “Younger Wasters”, along with variables like attitude, store shopping frequency, and shopping behavior, are significantly positively associated with food waste frequency. This study demonstrates the potential of clustering analysis in exploring food waste determinants and suggests using clustered indices as proxies for respondents’ overall traits. Full article

Background/objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health concern, and misuse of antibiotics in livestock farming contributes to its emergence. In Blantyre, Malawi, small-scale pig and poultry farming is widespread, but the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) driving antimicrobial use (AMU) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the KAP regarding AMU and manure management among pig and poultry farmers in Blantyre, Malawi. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 118 randomly selected farmers to assess AMU patterns, sources of antibiotics, adherence to withdrawal periods, disposal practices, and awareness of AMR and regulations. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and inferential tests (with statistical significance set at p < 0.05). Results: Antibiotic use was reported by 88% of farmers, primarily for therapy (93.3%) and prophylaxis (85.6%), including for viral diseases such as Newcastle disease in poultry and African swine fever in pigs. Oxytetracycline (91.5%), penicillin (50.8%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (39.8%) were the most used antibiotics, predominantly sourced from agrovet shops (73.7%). While 61% of farmers knew antibiotic misuse could lead to AMR, significant gaps were observed: 68.6% had no formal training, 55.9% were unaware of regulations, and 42% sold/consumed products before the end of the withdrawal period. Most farmers disposed of expired antibiotics (80.5%) and packaging (92.4%) in household waste. Higher education and prior training were significantly associated with good knowledge. Conclusions: This study reveals significant knowledge–practice gaps and high-risk behaviors, such as misuse for viral diseases and unsafe disposal, that exacerbate AMR risks. Interventions must prioritize targeted farmer education, strengthening of veterinary extension services, and stricter regulation of agrovet shops to promote antimicrobial stewardship and support Malawi’s National Action Plan on AMR. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have attracted global attention due to their persistence and biological toxicity, becoming critical emerging contaminants in river and lake environments worldwide. Building upon existing studies, this work aims to comprehensively understand the pollution patterns, environmental behaviors, and potential risks of PFASs in freshwater systems, thereby providing scientific evidence and technical support for precise pollution control, risk prevention, and the protection of aquatic ecosystems and human health. Based on publications from 2002 to 2025 indexed in the Web of Science (WoS), bibliometric analysis was used to explore the temporal evolution and research hotspots of PFASs, and to systematically review their input pathways, pollution characteristics, environmental behaviors, influencing factors, and ecological and health risks in river and lake environments. Results show that PFAS inputs originate from both direct and indirect pathways. Direct emissions mainly stem from industrial production, consumer product use, and waste disposal, while indirect emissions arise from precursor transformation, secondary releases from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT). Affected by source distribution, physicochemical properties, and environmental conditions, PFASs display pronounced spatial variability among environmental media. Their partitioning, degradation, and migration are jointly controlled by molecular properties, aquatic physicochemical conditions, and interactions with dissolved organic matter (DOM). Current risk assessments indicate that PFASs generally pose low risks in non-industrial areas, yet elevated ecological and health risks persist in industrial clusters and regions with intensive aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) use. Quantitative evaluation of mixture toxicity and chronic low-dose exposure risks remains insufficient and warrants further investigation. This study reveals the complex, dynamic environmental behaviors of PFASs in river and lake systems. Considering the interactions between PFASs and coexisting components, future research should emphasize mechanisms, key influencing factors, and synergistic control strategies under multi-media co-pollution. Developing quantitative risk assessment frameworks capable of characterizing integrated mixture toxicity will provide a scientific basis for the precise identification and effective management of PFAS pollution in aquatic environments. Full article

Research has often overlooked examination of circular consumption practices from the consumer’s perspective by primarily focusing on specific consumption activities, hindering researchers from obtaining comprehensive insights into consumers’ upstream and downstream roles. Addressing this gap would highlight their role as simultaneous product users and resource suppliers. The framework draws from the concepts of the circular economy, attitude–behavior–context theory, and practice theory to develop a model that explores circular consumption behavior based on 8R-strategies for addressing and reducing product demand and disposal. These strategies comprise refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, repurpose, and recycle. The proposed model was empirically tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling with data collected from 528 consumers. The results show that the antecedents positively impacted circular consumption behavior, with environmental concern and consumer social responsibility acting as partial mediators. Habits moderated the relationship between these variables, though they showed insignificant moderation between circular economy knowledge and circular consumption behavior. The findings underscore the importance of consumers’ role as both product users and resource suppliers in circular consumption practices. Full article

This study evaluates the environmental impact of swimming goggles through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), comparing virgin and recycled polycarbonate models. It identifies key hotspots, assesses circular economy benefits, and examines barriers to sustainable disposal, aligning with European Union’s (EU) 2050 sustainability objectives. The LCA was modeled using SimaPro, with the Environmental Footprint (EF) 3.1 method to analyze 16 impact categories (e.g., climate change, human toxicity, resource depletion). Two scenarios were assessed: (1) virgin polycarbonate production and (2) a closed-loop system (80% recycled content, 30% reintegration). Primary data from a survey of 150 competitive swimmers quantified disposal behaviors. The lens production phase (bisphenol A processing) dominated impacts, contributing to 62% of climate change and 75% of human toxicity. The recycling scenario reduced total impact by 23.1% (119 → 91.5 mPt), with significant declines in freshwater ecotoxicity (−28.6%) and marine eutrophication (−25.1%). Survey data highlighted critical gaps: low consumer participation in recycling due to lack of awareness and inadequate disposal infrastructure. Recycled polycarbonate can substantially mitigate environmental impacts, but systemic barriers (consumer behavior, collection gaps) limit progress. Future work should explore bio-based polymers and policy incentives to accelerate circularity. Full article