No clue about bioplastics

Erik Ansink, Louise Wijk and Frederiek Zuidmeer
Additional contact information
Louise Wijk: Amsterdam University College
Frederiek Zuidmeer: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

No 19-084/VIII, Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers from Tinbergen Institute

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Recycling; field experiment; bioplastics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019-12-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-env and nep-exp
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Related works:
Journal Article: No clue about bioplastics (2022)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tin:wpaper:20190084

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