Abstract
Against the background of the pollution of the environment through plastic waste, we conducted a field experiment (N = 195) to test the effectiveness of a default nudge intervention that aimed at reducing the consumption of plastic drinking straws. We assumed that separating straws from cups by default leads to an overall decrease in straw consumption. We hypothesized that individuals would consume straws less frequently when they had to pick straws actively out of a separate straw box for their drink compared to when they could choose between cups already containing and not containing straws. Results of a logistic regression revealed a significant difference between both conditions concerning the use of drinking straws [B = 1.129 (SE = 0.30), p < 001 with an odds ratio of OR = 0.32]. Confirming our hypothesis, results underline that minor and subtle interventions addressing waste reduction might have marked effects. More research is needed to improve current and future interventions to significantly reduce the amount of plastic consumption and consequently reduce the waste in the environment.
Highlights
Plastics are estimated to make up approximately 10% of global waste (Barnes et al, 2009) and more than 80% of marine litter (European Commission, 2018)
To avoid negative reactions on a default option aimed at reducing straw consumption, we developed an experimental pattern in which the default option was more discreet
In the present field experiment, we examined the effect of an easy-to-implement default-nudge intervention on reducing drinking straw consumption
Summary
Plastics are estimated to make up approximately 10% of global waste (Barnes et al, 2009) and more than 80% of marine litter (European Commission, 2018). About 70% of all marine litter items are – beside lost and abandoned fishing gear – single-use plastic products, such as straws, tobacco product filters, food containers, balloons, and sticks for balloons (European Commission, 2018). Plastic pushes climate change (Royer et al, 2018; Center for International Environmental Law, 2019) and endangers the human health (Rist et al, 2018). To reduce littering and avoid environmental damage, the European Parliament approved a law for 2021, banning 10 single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws, and cotton bud sticks (European Parliament, 2019). The ban’s impact is proposed to reduce littering by more than half and is expected to avoid the emission of 3.4 million tons of CO2−e by 2030 (European Commission, 2018)
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