Exploring the Interplay of Pro-Environmental Attitudes, Dietary Choices, and Packaging Preferences: A Virtual Reality Restaurant Scenario Study

• Published in: Challenges (Basel) 2023-12, Vol.15 (1), p.1
• Main Authors: Farias, Ana Rita, Lane, Hakan, Killingsworth, Jayanna, Warden, Julia M., Wais, Sara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitudes; Computer applications; Consumer preferences; Customer relations; Decision making; Diet; dietary choices; Emissions; Environmental aspects; Environmental attitudes; Environmental awareness; Environmental impact; Food; food service industry; Gender; Greenhouse gases; Interdisciplinary research; Interdisciplinary studies; Packaging; packaging preferences; Planning; Plastic debris; pro-environmental attitudes; Psychological aspects; Restaurant industry; Restaurants; Scenario planning; Sustainability; Technology application; Vegetarian diet; Vegetarianism; Virtual reality; Virtual Reality (VR) simulation
• ISSN: 2078-1547; 2078-1547
• DOI: 10.3390/challe15010001

This research paper delves into the complex relationship between pro-environmental attitudes, dietary preferences, and packaging choices using a Virtual Reality (VR) restaurant scenario. The imperative is to address environmental concerns, particularly plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions, as they pertain to sectors of the food service sector. This study seeks to understand the factors influencing environmental attitudes and behaviors, with a focus on dietary preferences and packaging choices using a VR restaurant scenario. This study explores connections between gender, education, interventions, and pro-environmental attitudes, as well as the correlation between vegetarian diets and sustainable behaviors. While the results suggest significant correlations between gender and pro-environmental attitudes and a potential connection between adopting vegetarian diets and pro-environmental attitudes, our study emphasizes the nuanced nature of these relationships. The findings underline the importance of interdisciplinary research and strategic interventions for fostering sustainable behaviors and reducing environmental impact. The use of VR simulation adds a novel dimension to understanding individuals’ choices in controlled environments, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of pro-environmental decision making. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable behavior by offering insights into the interplay between personal preferences, environmental awareness, and choices with significant environmental implications.