Consumer behaviour

Wege zum nachhaltigen Umgang mit Kunststoffen

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 03 May 2022 10:13:46 +0000

Wege zum nachhaltigen Umgang mit Kunststoffen linda.mederake… Tue, 05/03/2022 - 12:13

Untertitel

Kernbotschaften sozialwissenschaftlicher Forschung

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Beschreibung

The volume of plastics entering the environment is growing worldwide. Since existing regulations are not sufficient to curb the problem, the ever-increasing plastic production and use must be reduced. A systemic approach is needed that holds all actors responsible who produce, use, recycle, dispose and trade in plastic products and packaging. Policymakers must drive the necessary paradigm shift and facilitate a sufficiency debate across society.

This article summarizes the results of the social science research conducted as part of the research focus in 11 key messages. The results were developed in the course of the following joint research projects (or their social science sub-projects): ENSURE, Innoredux, InRePlast, PlastikBudget, PlastikNet, PLASTRAT, PLAWES, REPLAWA, SubµTrack and VerPlaPoS.

Further Links

Article download (in German)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.31.1.12

Magazine

GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society

Year

2022

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Beyerl, Katharina; Bogner, Franz; Daskalakis, Maria; Decker, Thomas; Hentschel, Anja; Hinzmann, Mandy; Loges, Bastian; Knoblauch, Doris; Mederake, Linda; Müller,, Ruth; Rubik, Frieder; Schweiger, Stefan; Stieß, Immanuel (2022): Wege zum nachhaltigen Umgang mit Kunststoffen. Kernbotschaften sozialwissenschaftlicher Forschung. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 31(1), 51-53.

Tags

Awareness raising

Social perception

Governance

minimization strategies

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für Kunststoffe – Aktuelle Diskussionen, Trends und politische Herausforderungen

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:59:35 +0000

A circular plastics economy - Current discussions, trends and political challenges linda.mederake… Wed, 02/23/2022 - 13:59

Untertitel

A reflection of the Tutzing Symposion 2021 „Polymers for a better life and circular economy“

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Beschreibung

The article reflects on the 59th Tutzing Symposion entitled "Polymers for a better life and circular economy" that took place as an online event in October 2021. Based on the presentations at the symposium, the contribution provides an overview of current debates on the circular plastics economy, as well as insights into existing political regulations, present challenges, and possible future developments with regard to this major societal project.

Among other topics, the article addresses the comparability of life cycle assessments, (chemical) recycling, and challenges in developing new business models. It also addresses the material and political limits of the circular economy and criticizes attempts to locate the responsibility for solving the plastic problem mainly in the individual behavior of citizens. Looking at existing regulations and policy initiatives at national, European and international levels, the article states the lack of a holistic, overarching approach. The article concludes with an appeal for more exchange and discussions between industry, politics and authorities as well as civil society in the political decision-making process.

Further Links

Article (restricted access)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.37307/j.1863-9763.2022.02.05

Magazine

Müll und Abfall

Year

2022

Author

Linda Mederake

Publisher

Erich Schmidt Verlag (ESV), Germany

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Mederake, Linda (2022): Eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für Kunststoffe – Aktuelle Diskussionen, Trends und politische Herausforderungen. Eine Reflexion des Tutzing Symposions 2021 „Polymers for a better life and circular economy“. In: Müll und Abfall, 54 (2), 77-83.

Tags

Life Cycle Assessment

Environmental accounting

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Recycling

Regulation

Resource conservation

Publikationstyp

Factsheet 3: Einkauf unverpackter Lebensmittel - Ergebnisse einer Kund*innen-Umfrage

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 13:00:12 +0000

Factsheet 3: Purchasing unpackaged products - Results of a customer survey janna.vakili@e… Thu, 04/08/2021 - 15:00

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Beschreibung

We encounter plastic in many forms and functions in everyday life. Especially in supermarkets, extensive plastic packaging often catches the eye of consumers. However, the desire to shop with less packaging does not always translate into the use of more sustainable products.

In this context, the survey presented in the third factsheet deals with shopping habits when buying unpackaged products. The aim of the survey was to find out to what extent customers accept not using packaging and what potential unpackaged products offer.

The survey was conducted as part of the joint project Innoredux. The project uses a real-lab research approach to develop innovative packaging solutions to avoid or reduce plastic waste along the value chain.

The factsheet is available here for PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 4 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

Innoredux

Year

2021

Author

Gesa Marken

Frieder Rubik

Authors

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Marken, Gesa; Rubik, Frieder (2021): Purchasing unpackaged products: Results of a customer survey. Fact sheet 3 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Tags

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Factsheet 1: Plastikverpackungen - Welche Einsparmöglichkeiten gibt es beim Kleiderkauf?

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 13:38:16 +0000

Factsheet 1: Plastic Packaging - What are the possibilities for reducing waste when buying clothes? janna.vakili@e… Wed, 02/10/2021 - 14:38

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Beschreibung

The first factsheet of the research focus is dealing with the question of how consumers can save plastic when buying clothes. It is often difficult to know how much plastic is produced along the textile value chain, before a product arrives in the store. Due to this lack of visibility, it is usually not possible for consumers to estimate the actual amount of packaging of a garment and to act accordingly. The factsheet picks up on this issue and explains at which points in the supply chain plastic packaging waste is generated. It also discusses the role of industry and consumers in this context and points out avoidance strategies.

The contents of the factsheet are based on research results of the joint project VerPlaPoS. The factsheet is available here for PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 1 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

VerPlaPoS

Year

2021

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Decker, Thomas; Lippl, Maria; Frommeyer, Britta; Koch, Julia; von Gehlen, Kristina; Tornow, Maren; Habermehl, Tabea; Niedermeier, Andreas (2021): Plastic Packaging: What are the possibilities for reducing waste when buying clothes? Fact sheet 1 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Querschnittsthema

QST 4

Quiz: Plastik in der Umwelt - Was wissen Sie?

Mandy — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 11:21:04 +0000

Quiz: Plastic in the Environment – What do you know? Mandy Thu, 01/14/2021 - 12:21

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Beschreibung

When I wash a polyester fleece jacket, can microplastics get into the water? How many climate-damaging greenhouse gases are released annually due to the global production of plastics and what is chemical recycling?

Plastics are all around us and make up an essential part of our daily lives. How much do we know about this material, its variety, the associated environmental problems and possible solutions? The quiz "Plastics in the environment - What do you know?" invites you to test your knowledge around the topic of plastics in five categories. Furthermore, the category "Questions for adults & children" contains questions suited for children.

The quiz was developed within this research focus. The quiz is available on this website and is suitable for all common browsers on computers and mobile devices.

Further Links

Link zum Quiz

Year

2020

Author

Mandy Hinzmann (Content)

Janna Vakili (Content)

Lena Aebli (Design)

Prasanna Ramesh (Programming)

Authors

Type of Result

educational material

Tags

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Plastikvermeidung auf kommunaler Ebene

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 11:22:05 +0000

Plastic waste prevention at the municipal level linda.mederake… Tue, 01/05/2021 - 12:22

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Beschreibung

The discussion about plastic waste is anything but new for German municipalities. In fact, as early as the 1980s, numerous German municipalities were experimenting with plastic waste prevention regulations and waste prevention in general. A further impetus for plastic waste prevention was provided in the early 1990s with the discussions on the introduction of a nationwide packaging ordinance. After almost three decades of stagnation - including setbacks with regard to the expansion of return systems and the increase of single-use packaging - the issue of plastic prevention and packaging reduction in municipalities is now receiving renewed attention as a result of increased societal awareness and political regulations at EU level.

This book chapter by Linda Mederake (Ecologic Institute) and Dorothea Seeger (BUND) deals with the possibilities for municipal action to avoid plastics. These options range from information and awareness-raising activities to political decisions, regulatory requirements and public procurement as a driver of packaging reduction. The authors point out that the greatest untapped potential for reducing packaging waste at the municipal level lies in the areas of informal administrative action and public procurement.

The best practice examples presented in this article show that it is possible to do things differently. In addition, private-sector and civil-society initiatives can harness additional potential for plastic prevention.

Further Links

Publisher's page for the anthology "Einfach weglassen".

ISBN

978-3-96238-243-8

Year

2020

Author

Authors

Linda Mederake

Dorothea Seeger

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Mederake, Linda; Seeger, Dorothea (2020): Plastikvermeidung auf kommunaler Ebene. In: Kröger, Melanie; Pape, Jens; Wittwer, Alexandra (eds.) (2020): Einfach weglassen? Ein wissenschaftliches Lesebuch zur Reduktion von Plastikverpackungen im Lebensmittelhandel. ISBN: 978-3-96238-243-8. Oekom Verlag, München.

Tags

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Umweltproblem Plastikverpackung

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 11:07:11 +0000

Environmental problem: plastic packaging janna.vakili@e… Tue, 11/24/2020 - 12:07

Untertitel

Emergence in Germany and environmental impact

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Beschreibung

Numerous one- to two-person households, an increase in mail-order business as well as the popular "to-go" culture are causing a steady rise in the consumption of plastic packaging in Germany. While approximately 1.8 million tons of plastic were produced per year in 2000, this figure had already risen to 3.1 million tons by 2016. Plastic packaging and the environmental consequences of plastic production and consumption are currently of high importance on the political agenda – yet, increased social awareness of the problem has done little to counter plastic consumption so far.

This article by Doris Knoblauch and Hannes Schritt (both Ecologic Institute) is part of the anthology "Einfach weglassen? Ein wissenschaftliches Lesebuch zur Reduktion von Plastikverpackungen im Lebensmittelhandel" (Simply Omit? A Scientific Reader on the Reduction of Plastic Packaging in the Food Trade). It deals with the emergence of plastic packaging in Germany and its known environmental impacts. The authors demonstrate that there is a close correlation between the amount of plastic packaging produced and the gross domestic product (GDP) - which, interestingly, is stronger than the correlation between GDP and packaging overall. In this context, avoidance strategies and improvement options for the circular economy are discussed.

Furthermore, an overview of input pathways and main input sources of plastic into the environment is given. The state of knowledge on the effects of plastic on the environment and the human body is presented. It becomes clear that there are still research deficits, especially with regard to microplastics.

The publication is available on this website.

Further Links

Ecologic Institute

Link to publication (in German)

ISBN

978-3-96238-243-8

Year

2020

Author

Doris Knoblauch

Hannes Schritt

Authors

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Knoblauch, Doris; Schritt, Hannes (2020): Umweltproblem Plastikverpackung.Aufkommen in Deutschland und Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt. In: Kröger, Melanie; Pape, Jens; Wittwer, Alexandra (Hrsg.) (2020): Einfach weglassen? Ein wissenschaftliches Lesebuch zur Reduktion von Plastikverpackungen im Lebensmittelhandel. ISBN: 978-3-96238-243-8. Oekom Verlag, München.

Tags

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Polymer

Recyclate

Recycling

Environmental sustainability

Publikationstyp

Einkaufsgewohnheiten und Einflussfaktoren beim Unverpackt-Einkauf

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 09:41:16 +0000

Purchasing habits and factors influencing the purchase of unpackaged goods linda.mederake… Wed, 07/22/2020 - 11:41

Untertitel

survey results of a study in Germany

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Beschreibung

In order to counteract the problem of the constantly growing volume of packaging in Germany (Schüler, 2019), the Federal Government has promoted the strategy of waste avoidance over other strategies such as reuse, recycling and recovery or disposal strategies of packaging waste in the waste hierarchy of the Circular Economy Act. The idea of waste avoidance through packaging elimination is also becoming increasingly popular in the retail trade, and today there is a packaging-free store in every major city in Germany.

With regard to finding out to what extent the packaging elimination as an innovative packaging solution is viable for the future and has the potential to expand, customers were asked about their opinion of shopping for unpackaged products. Customers play a key role in the implementation of new packaging solutions. The focus of the survey was on purchasing habits and transportation, factors that inhibit and encourage unpackaged
shopping and reuse solutions.

The results of the survey include 1) the confirmation of a broad acceptance of unpackaged solutions among customers; 2) the identification of an attitude-behaviour gap among proponents of packaging-free shopping; 3) the identification of inhibiting factors of shopping in the unpackaged store such as distance, price and limited product choice and 4) an assessment of reusable solutions from the customer's perspective, which indicates a high degree of receptiveness towards bringing own containers. In the further course of the project, it will be investigated which further success factors and barriers are associated with the implementation of new packaging solutions and which concrete packaging innovations are suitable for a cross-industry expansion.

Attachments

Download report (pdf, in German)

Joint project

Innoredux

Year

2020

Author

Authors

Gesa Marken

Nele Wagenfeld

Vanessa Dangel

Elina Hettich

Magdalena Kitzberger

Josepha Nestele

Frieder Rubik

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Marken, Gesa; Wagenfeld, Nele unter Mitarbeit von Vanessa Dangel, Elina Hettich, Magdalena Kitzberger, Josepha Nestele und Frieder Rubik (2020): Einkaufsgewohnheiten und Einflussfaktoren beim Unverpackt-Einkauf. Ergebnisse einer Umfrage. Report of the joint research project Innoredux.

Tags

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

VerPlaPoS: Plastik entlang der textilen Lieferkette

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Thu, 28 May 2020 15:35:42 +0000

VerPlaPoS: plastics along the textile supply chain janna.vakili@e… Thu, 05/28/2020 - 17:35

Untertitel

Article in the magazine "masche"

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Beschreibung

This article from the German magazine „masche“ portraits the joint project VerPlaPoS. The project examines consumer’s behavior concerning plastics and avoidance strategies at the point of sale.

Investigating the whole supply chain of different textile products, the researchers find that frequent packing, unpacking and repacking of goods leads to high use of plastics. Due to a lack of information consumers are often unaware of this. VerPlaPoS tries to tackle these deficits by increasing the consumer’s awareness of this problem as well as highlighting ways for the industry to reduce plastics in the supply chain.

More information about the project can be found in the article, which was published in the magazine "masche" of the German Maschen Industry Association (Gesamtverband der deutschen Maschenindustrie e.V.) in issue 01/2020 and can be downloaded in German online under this link.

Further Links

Download of the article (in German)

Joint project

VerPlaPoS

Magazine

masche

Year

2020

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Tags

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Diskussionspapier: Plastikverpackungen in der Lebensmittelindustrie

KALEH — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 13:20:58 +0000

Discussion Paper: Plastic packaging in the food industry KALEH Tue, 11/05/2019 - 14:20

Untertitel

An analysis from the perspective of consumers, industry and trade.

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Beschreibung

When buying food, more and more consumers want to avoid plastic packaging. However, it is often difficult to actually shop without plastic packaging. Many times there is a lack of alternatives or knowledge about which packaging is the most ecological. In addition, many would have to completely change their shopping behavior and, e.g., shop more frequently, because unpacked fresh goods are not that durable. This is often incompatible with everyday life.

For some foods, regional and seasonal products can be used as alternatives. This avoids long transport distances and thus large quantities of packaging. Yet, only a small group of products can be produced within the region and the consumption of seasonal products also implies that only a smaller range of fruits and vegetables is available in winter. In addition, the ratio of product to packaging can be optimized. Instead of opting for many individually packaged products, buying a larger unit is preferable. However, one should make sure that the food does not spoil prematurely.

The correct disposal of plastic waste is also a challenge for consumers. Many people do not know how to dispose of their waste properly. Badly sorted garbage cannot be recycled adequately. One problem, for instance, is packaging made of different materials or mixed plastics. These plastics are very difficult and costly to separate and recycle.

These and other findings are the result of the research carried out within the project VerPlaPoS. The findings on food packaging gained so far were compiled by the responsible project partners in a discussion paper (in German).

Attachments

Discussion Paper: Plastic packaging in the food industry (in German)

Further Links

VerPlaPoS-Projektwebsite

Joint project

VerPlaPoS

Year

2019

Author

Thomas Decker

Maria Lippl

Klaus Menrad

Tabea Habermehl

Hannes Krieg

Friederike Schlegl

Sven Sängerlaub

Klaus-Dieter Bauer

Type of Result

discussion papers & status papers

Citation

Decker, Thomas; Lippl, Maria; Menrad, Klaus; Habermehl, Tabea; Krieg, Hannes; Schlegl, Friederike; Sängerlaub, Sven; Bauer, Klaus-Dieter (2019): Plastikverpackungen in der Lebensmittelindustrie: Eine Analyse aus Sicht von VerbraucherInnen, Industrie und Handel. Straubing.

Tags

Consumption

Consumer behaviour

Reduction of plastic use

Food

Food packaging

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Publikation

Querschnittsthema

QST 4