| dc.description.abstract | Abstract
Single-use plastic consumption remains a major environmental challenge, prompting
policymakers to explore new strategies to reduce demand. While financial incentives such as
deposit fees have shown effectiveness, behavioral interventions, particularly graphic
warnings, remain underexplored in the context of plastic waste reduction. This study
examines whether warning labels on plastic packaging can influence consumer behavior
related to single-use plastics.
In a randomized controlled experiment, participants were assigned to one of three conditions:
a control group, a text-only group, or a graphic warning label depicting wildlife harm caused
by plastic pollution. Participants viewed mock plastic water bottle packaging and reported
their purchase intention, recycling intention, and willingness to pay. The study also assessed
emotional responses, attitudes toward plastic use, subjective norms, environmental concern,
and plastic consumption behavior.
Results show that the graphic warning label significantly reduced purchase intention
compared to the control condition. Mediation analysis confirmed that this effect was driven
by emotional responses, particularly disgust. No significant effects were found for recycling
intention, and willingness to pay was unexpectedly lower in the text-only condition. These
findings suggest that while graphic warnings may not influence all aspects of behavior, they
can function as effective low-cost nudges to reduce demand for plastic products. Graphic
warning labels should therefore be viewed as a complementary tool within broader policy
strategies to address plastic pollution. | |
