Allison, Ayşe Lisa Ustaoğlu; (2023) Understanding and changing the public's behaviour relating to plastic waste. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Background: Circular economy transitions are hampered by a paucity of theory- and evidence-based behavioural research; this hinders attempts to design effective waste management interventions. Aims: This thesis uses behavioural science frameworks to identify key behaviours relating to plastic waste, influences on these behaviours, and design and evaluate a behaviour change intervention. Method: Study 1 was a systematic review and meta-analysis identifying and categorising behaviours related to plastic waste; identifying, categorising and evaluating variables associated with these behaviours and; identifying, categorising and evaluating components of prior interventions. Studies 2 and 3 identified influences on compostable plastic packaging purchase and household food waste recycling. Study 4 integrated the findings of Studies 1-3 to develop an intervention enabling desired disposal of compostable plastic packaging. The developed intervention consisted of disposal instruction labels. Study 5 evaluated the labels for their effectiveness in changing disposal behaviour. Results: Most research in this area focuses on shopping bag use and (dry) recycling; there needs to be greater prioritisation of more resource-efficient waste management strategies. Across studies, a combination of capability, opportunity and motivation was required to enact behaviour, suggesting that holistic approaches are needed for intervention design. Generally, citizens wish to behave pro- environmentally, however, their environments are often not set up such that desired behaviours are the more obvious, convenient, or affordable thing to do. Explicit disposal instructions and imagery can improve the disposal of compostable plastics but cannot be sufficient without congruent improvements to compostable plastic certification, labelling and waste management. Conclusions: The findings of this thesis can be used to inform the amendment of existing, and design of novel, interventions and policies relevant to these behaviours, including improvements to the implementation of public services relevant to these behaviours.

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