IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i3p1912-d744220.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Awareness of Citizens for the Single-Use Plastics: Comparison between a High-Income and an Upper-Middle-Income Economy of the Easter Mediterranean Region, Greece and Lebanon

Author

Listed:
  • Zoe Gareiou

    (Laboratory of Technology and Policy of Energy and Environment, School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, Parodos Aristotelous 18, 26335 Patra, Greece)

  • Christina Chroni

    (Laboratory of Technology and Policy of Energy and Environment, School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, Parodos Aristotelous 18, 26335 Patra, Greece
    Department of Geography, Harokopio University, El. Venizelou 70, 17671 Kallithea, Greece)

  • Karolos Kontoleon

    (Laboratory of Building Construction & Building Physics, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Makram El Bachawati

    (Chemical Engineering Department, University of Balamand, El-Koura P.O. Box 100, North Lebanon, Lebanon)

  • Marianne Saba

    (Civil Engineering Department, University of Balamand, El-Koura P.O. Box 100, North Lebanon, Lebanon)

  • Ruth Herrero Martin

    (Department of Thermal and Fluid Engineering, School of Industrial Engineering, Universidad Politecnica de Cartagena, 30202 Cartagena, Spain)

  • Efthimios Zervas

    (Laboratory of Technology and Policy of Energy and Environment, School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, Parodos Aristotelous 18, 26335 Patra, Greece)

Abstract

Plastics have become an integral part of daily human life for the last 50 years because, due to their durability, low cost and ease of construction, they have replaced many other materials. However, the same characteristics that make plastics particularly desirable are also what make them ubiquitous in the environment, especially as much of the plastic is designed to be discarded almost immediately after use. This study investigates the opinion and behavior concerning the current use of plastics, their end-of-life (recycling) scenario, and the potential for their replacement with more sustainable and biodegradable materials in Greece and Lebanon. The survey was conducted during April and May 2021 in the main cities of the two countries. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were analyzed, using simple descriptive statistics, chi-square test and PCA analysis. The results show that even if the respondents of both countries stated significant awareness of environmental issues, they often use single-use plastics. Furthermore, the respondents (in both Greece and Lebanon) say that it would be fair to pay more for products in a package made of biodegradable materials. Finally, the statistical analysis of the results shows that in both Greece and Lebanon, there is a small increase in the use of reusable products during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Zoe Gareiou & Christina Chroni & Karolos Kontoleon & Makram El Bachawati & Marianne Saba & Ruth Herrero Martin & Efthimios Zervas, 2022. "Awareness of Citizens for the Single-Use Plastics: Comparison between a High-Income and an Upper-Middle-Income Economy of the Easter Mediterranean Region, Greece and Lebanon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-35, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:3:p:1912-:d:744220
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/3/1912/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/3/1912/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fereniki Vatavali & Zoi Gareiou & Fotini Kehagia & Efthimios Zervas, 2020. "Impact of COVID-19 on Urban Everyday Life in Greece. Perceptions, Experiences and Practices of the Active Population," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Ayşe Lisa Allison & Fabiana Lorencatto & Susan Michie & Mark Miodownik, 2021. "Barriers and Enablers to Buying Biodegradable and Compostable Plastic Packaging," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2021. "The semiconducting principle of monetary and environmental values exchange," Economics and Business Letters, Oviedo University Press, vol. 10(3), pages 284-290.
    4. Efi Drimili & Ζoi Gareiou & Efthimios Zervas, 2020. "Public perceptions of the concept of green growth: application in Athens, Greece, during a period of economic crisis," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 6053-6076, October.
    5. Garcia-Cuerva, Laura & Berglund, Emily Z. & Binder, Andrew R., 2016. "Public perceptions of water shortages, conservation behaviors, and support for water reuse in the U.S," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 106-115.
    6. Alessia Cavaliere & Silvia Pigliafreddo & Elisa De Marchi & Alessandro Banterle, 2020. "Do Consumers Really Want to Reduce Plastic Usage? Exploring the Determinants of Plastic Avoidance in Food-Related Consumption Decisions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-15, November.
    7. Morgana Weber Macena & Rita Carvalho & Luísa Paula Cruz-Lopes & Raquel P. F. Guiné, 2021. "Plastic Food Packaging: Perceptions and Attitudes of Portuguese Consumers about Environmental Impact and Recycling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Hetan Shah, 2020. "Global problems need social science," Nature, Nature, vol. 577(7790), pages 295-295, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Roberto Aguado & Francesc Xavier Espinach & Fabiola Vilaseca & Quim Tarrés & Pere Mutjé & Marc Delgado-Aguilar, 2022. "Approaching a Zero-Waste Strategy in Rapeseed ( Brassica napus ) Exploitation: Sustainably Approaching Bio-Based Polyethylene Composites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-18, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2021. "The semiconducting principle of monetary and environmental values exchange," Economics and Business Letters, Oviedo University Press, vol. 10(3), pages 284-290.
    2. Nguyen, Minh-Hoang & Vuong, Quan-Hoang, 2020. "Evaluation of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets: The international collaboration trilemma in interdisciplinary research," OSF Preprints 84j76, Center for Open Science.
    3. Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Minh-Phuong Thi Duong & Manh-Cuong Nguyen & Noah Mutai & Ruining Jin & Phuong-Tri Nguyen & Tam-Tri Le & Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2023. "Promoting Stakeholders’ Support for Marine Protection Policies: Insights from a 42-Country Dataset," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Wang, Yutao & Sun, Mingxing & Song, Baimin, 2017. "Public perceptions of and willingness to pay for sponge city initiatives in China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 11-20.
    5. Deniz Turkcu & Nina Tura & Ville Ojanen, 2022. "A Conceptual Framework of the Sustainability Challenges Experienced during the Life Cycle of Biobased Packaging Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Nguyen, Minh-Hoang & Vuong, Quan-Hoang, 2020. "The third finding concerning a missing cultural value: a bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science," OSF Preprints jbcx3, Center for Open Science.
    7. Elena C. Prenovitz & Peter K. Hazlett & Chandler S. Reilly, 2023. "Can Markets Improve Recycling Performance? A Cross-Country Regression Analysis and Case Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-18, March.
    8. Duong, Cong Thuy & Duong, Nguyen Cam & Dung, Nguyen Tan & Chuc, Hoang Thi Hong & Chi, Nguyen Hoang & Dung, Doan Thu & Chi, Vu Quynh & Chi, Hoang Thi Linh & , Le Thi Thanh Diem & Dương, Phan Thùy, 2022. "Climate Change And Energy Security," OSF Preprints 9sejb, Center for Open Science.
    9. Ho, Manh-Toan, 2021. "Mindsponge: Some Remarks for Future Research Directions," OSF Preprints ce2y7, Center for Open Science.
    10. An Thinh Nguyen & Mai Tran & Thuy Nguyen & Quy Khuc, 2023. "Using Contingent Valuation Method to Explore the Households’ Participation and Willingness to Pay for Improved Plastic Waste Management in North Vietnam," Springer Books, in: An Thinh Nguyen & Thu Thuy Pham & Joon Song & Yen-Ling Lin & Manh Cuong Dong (ed.), Contemporary Economic Issues in Asian Countries: Proceeding of CEIAC 2022, Volume 2, pages 219-237, Springer.
    11. Mohammad Rashed Hasan Polas & Ratul Kumar Saha & Mosab I. Tabash, 2022. "How does tourist perception lead to tourist hesitation? Empirical evidence from Bangladesh," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 3659-3686, March.
    12. Ho, Manh-Toan, 2021. "Video games and scientific research," OSF Preprints cj593, Center for Open Science.
    13. Nguyen, Minh-Hoang, 2021. "Building an “eco-surplus culture” among urban consumers and restaurant settings for reducing wildlife trade," OSF Preprints qrxku, Center for Open Science.
    14. Quan-Hoang Vuong & Quang-Loc Nguyen & Ruining Jin & Minh-Hieu Thi Nguyen & Thi-Phuong Nguyen & Viet-Phuong La & Minh-Hoang Nguyen, 2023. "Increasing Supply for Woody-Biomass-Based Energy through Wasted Resources: Insights from US Private Landowners," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, May.
    15. Khalid Mehmood & Fauzia Jabeen & Shilpa Iyanna & Hui Zhang & Patrice Piccardi & Nagendra Singh Nehra, 2024. "Exploring drivers of behavioral willingness to reduce plastic consumption and socially responsible consumption behavior: A stimulus–organism–behavior–consequence paradigm based environmental managemen," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 3098-3118, July.
    16. Ho, Tung Manh & Le, Ngoc-Thang B., 2021. "Reviewing Studies On Corporate Social Responsibility Research In Vietnam During The 2008-2020 Period," OSF Preprints hyuqs, Center for Open Science.
    17. M. Lahandi Baskoro & Benny Tjahjono & Macarena Beltran & Anna Bogush & Yichuan Wang, 2024. "The imperative of communication signals in boosting business strategies of the bioplastic packaging industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 307-334, February.
    18. An, Hoang Tai, 2022. "Land degradation and solutions," OSF Preprints 36bs8, Center for Open Science.
    19. Elżbieta Szaruga & Zuzanna Kłos-Adamkiewicz & Agnieszka Gozdek & Elżbieta Załoga, 2021. "Linkages between Energy Delivery and Economic Growth from the Point of View of Sustainable Development and Seaports," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-61, July.
    20. Cherry C. I. Lau & Christina W. Y. Wong, 2024. "Achieving sustainable development with sustainable packaging: A natural‐resource‐based view perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4766-4787, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:3:p:1912-:d:744220. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.