The Consumption of Organic, Traditional, and/or European Eco-Label Products: Elements of Local Production and Sustainability

Eugenia Țigan, Oana Brînzan, Ciprian Obrad, Monica Lungu, Nicoleta Mateoc-Sîrb, Ioana Anda Milin and Simona Gavrilaș
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Eugenia Țigan: Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism and Environmental Protection, “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, 2-4 Elena Drăgoi Str., 310330 Arad, Romania
Oana Brînzan: Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism and Environmental Protection, “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, 2-4 Elena Drăgoi Str., 310330 Arad, Romania
Ciprian Obrad: Department of Sociology, West University of Timișoara, 4 Vasile Pârvan Bld., 300223 Timișoara, Romania
Monica Lungu: Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism and Environmental Protection, “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, 2-4 Elena Drăgoi Str., 310330 Arad, Romania
Nicoleta Mateoc-Sîrb: Department of Management and Rural Development, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului Street no.119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Ioana Anda Milin: Department of Economics and Company Financing, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului Street no.119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Simona Gavrilaș: Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism and Environmental Protection, “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, 2-4 Elena Drăgoi Str., 310330 Arad, Romania

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: When we talk about products with a low impact on the environment, e.g., organic, traditional, or having the European ecological label, their sales are a central element of the economy. Many variables and local cultural values influence consumer behavior, including education and life requirements. Sustainable development involves education on consumption habits and low-environmental-impact production. This article aims to identify the role of education and remuneration in the consumption of sustainable products. Different working hypotheses are formulated. The first hypothesis of our study tests the existence of a direct correlation between the consumer’s level of education and their opinion on consuming low-environmental-impact products, influencing the ability to make appropriate decisions. The second one refers to the level of income and consumption behavior. The research method is a statistical one, based on a quantitative analysis and using a questionnaire as a tool. For 60% of the high-level graduate respondents, a product’s source is significant in their choices. Over 70% of the responders who earn above the median income believe it is essential to consume organic products. The results obtained confirm our initial assumptions. Our findings underline the current knowledge regarding consumption of sustainable products, their characteristics, and consumers’ interest in them.

Keywords: sustainable consumption; consumer education; low environmental impact (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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