Nudging consumers about the issue of microplastics: an experimental auction study on valuation for sustainable food packaging

Plastic, integral to food packaging since the 1950s, has become a global environmental concern due to its contribution to microplastic pollution. Microplastics harm ecosystems, impacting wildlife and human health. Amid increasing focus on sustainability, global initiatives target sustainable product...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2024-08, Vol.14 (1), p.18993-10
Main Authors: Nagy, László Bendegúz, Nayga, Rodolfo M., Temesi, Ágoston
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
704/844/1759
704/844/4081
704/844/685
704/844/843
Adult
BDM
Biodegradable materials
Biodegradable packaging
Biodegradation
Consciousness
Consumer Behavior
Consumers
Design
Ecological footprint
Environmental effects
Environmental factors
Environmental impact
Environmental perception
Experiments
False information
Female
Food consumption
Food industry
Food packaging
Food Packaging - methods
Food products
Green products
Greenwashing
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
Influence
Labeling
Male
Microplastics
multidisciplinary
Natural & organic foods
Pasta
Plastic debris
Plastic pollution
Product environmental footprint
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Sustainability
Sustainable consumption
Sustainable development
Sustainable packaging
Sustainable production
Trust
Valuation
Wildlife
Willingness to pay
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Description
Summary:Plastic, integral to food packaging since the 1950s, has become a global environmental concern due to its contribution to microplastic pollution. Microplastics harm ecosystems, impacting wildlife and human health. Amid increasing focus on sustainability, global initiatives target sustainable production and consumption, but consumers struggle to verify product claims, leading to potential greenwashing, particularly in the food industry. We conducted an experiment focusing on pasta products with varied packaging and labeling attributes. Findings suggest that consumers are willing to pay more for products with both biodegradable packaging and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) labels, indicating heightened trust and perceived sustainability. Information about microplastics’ adverse environmental effects influenced consumer valuation, particularly among females, higher-income individuals, and those with stronger environmental concerns.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-69962-8