This project investigates how consumer plastic consumption can be reduced by analysing behaviour, food waste and shop access.
Fruit and vegetables without plastic packaging
Food packaging accounted for 5.4% of global food system emissions in 2015, with at least a third of it made up of single-use plastics. Approximately a fifth of emissions come from fruits and vegetables. Consumer behaviour is key to achieving sustainable development. This project combines expertise in spatial analysis, behaviour and economics to address this issue. The central question is how to improve the use of plastic in packaging. Researchers explore factors such as access to shops, consumer knowledge and behaviour regarding packaging, and the extent of food waste at home. Analyses are conducted at both the neighbourhood and city levels, alongside consumer surveys. This proposal aligns with the VU-UT collaboration on Responsible Societies and the sustainability goals of the Netherlands, the EU and the UN.
Researchers involved
Meike Morren (Contact)
Yue Dou
Publication