Does Providing Information about Cleaning Increase People’s Willingness to (Re)Use Bowls That Show Signs of Previous Use?
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Published:2024-02-04
Issue:3
Volume:16
Page:1322
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ISSN:2071-1050
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Container-title:Sustainability
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Sustainability
Author:
Pott Sophie L.1,
Baird Harriet M.1ORCID,
Eman Saima12ORCID,
Ciocirlan Anda-Bianca1ORCID,
Foster Katie1,
Green Georgia1,
Grobien Magdalena1,
Webb Thomas L.1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
2. Department of Applied Psychology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Abstract
Systems for reusing containers (e.g., for takeaway food) represent one way to reduce waste. However, evidence suggests that people are relatively unwilling to reuse containers, especially if they show signs of previous use. The present research investigated the hypothesis that providing information about cleaning would increase willingness to reuse containers for takeaway food and reduce concerns about contamination. Study 1 found that information about cleaning decreased, rather than increased, participants’ willingness to reuse visibly stained bowls. Study 2 found no effects from the information about cleaning on willingness to reuse bowls or the accessibility of contamination concerns, although information about cleaning reduced self-reported concerns about hygienic contamination. Taken together, the findings suggest that exposure to information designed to reassure users that containers are properly cleaned is not an effective way to increase engagement with reuse systems for takeaway food. Further studies are therefore needed to test alternative ways to increase people’s willingness to reuse containers that show signs of prior use.
Funder
Smart Sustainable Plastics Packaging (SSPP) challenge, deliv-ered via the Natural Environment Research Council
European Commission via BUDDIE-PACK
Subject
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Geography, Planning and Development,Building and Construction
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