Game-Based Solutions and the Plastic Problem: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Plastic pollution is an urgent worldwide environmental issue affecting marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Half of the global plastic production is dedicated to items only used once: the so-defined single-use plastic (SUP) items. Different strategies have been implemented to reduce SUP consumption. Game-based solutions are an emerging strategy to favour behaviour change. The present systematic review aims at providing a synthesis of the current evidence about the use of game-based solutions to encourage sustainable behaviours concerning plastic (i.e., consumption, avoidance, waste management, pollution). Relevant studies were identified via three databases: Scopus, ProQuest and Web of Science for qualifying papers published between 2015 and 2021. Twenty-two studies that employed or designed game-based interventions to address the plastic problem were included. Results suggest that there is still little research exploring the use of game-based solutions to address the plastic issue. The studies included in this review mostly aim at changing behaviours and raising awareness towards plastic pollution among the general public. Although findings suggest that game-based intervention can be promising in terms of engagement and motivation and increasing knowledge of the issue, there is still little research focused on proving actual behaviour change, especially over time and in different settings.