Arbeitspapier

No clue about bioplastics

We analyze recycling decisions for bioplastics using a natural field experiment. The potential environmental benefits of these new plastics may not materialize if they are recycled incorrectly. The field experiment that we set up to test this recycling behavior exploits the setting of a lemonade tasting. In our experimental treatments, subjects are exposed to different types of bioplastics logos on their cups as well as varying amounts of recycling information. We use two types of bioplastics and compare these to conventional plastics in terms of whether subjects recycle the cups correctly. Our results show that over 90% of subjects dispose of their cup with plastic waste and that none of our treatments can snap subjects out of this default behavior. We interpret this finding as subjects having no clue how to recycle bioplastics. More generelly, these results point to skepticism regarding new products or varieties whose environmental benefits depend on proper use or disposal.

Sprache
Englisch

Erschienen in
Series: Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper ; No. TI 2019-084/VIII

Klassifikation
Wirtschaft
Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
Field Experiments
Thema
Recycling
field experiment
bioplastics

Ereignis
Geistige Schöpfung
(wer)
Ansink, Erik
Wijk, Louise
Zuidmeer, Frederiek
Ereignis
Veröffentlichung
(wer)
Tinbergen Institute
(wo)
Amsterdam and Rotterdam
(wann)
2019

Handle
Letzte Aktualisierung
10.03.2025, 11:44 MEZ

Datenpartner

Dieses Objekt wird bereitgestellt von:
ZBW - Deutsche Zentralbibliothek für Wirtschaftswissenschaften - Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft. Bei Fragen zum Objekt wenden Sie sich bitte an den Datenpartner.

Objekttyp

  • Arbeitspapier

Beteiligte

  • Ansink, Erik
  • Wijk, Louise
  • Zuidmeer, Frederiek
  • Tinbergen Institute

Entstanden

  • 2019

Ähnliche Objekte (12)