IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i4p3008-d1060533.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analysing the Social Acceptance of Bio-Based Products Made from Recycled Absorbent Hygiene Products in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Elena Laborda

    (Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption CIRCE, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Felipe Del-Busto

    (Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption CIRCE, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Carmen Bartolomé

    (Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption CIRCE, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Víctor Fernández

    (Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption CIRCE, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

The acceptance of bio-based products by consumers is one of the fundamental pillars to achieve the integration of a circular economy model in society. This article analyses the results obtained in a large-scale survey on the social acceptance of bio-based products, especially those obtained from Absorbent Hygiene Products, where a statistical analysis of the data collected is performed to establish rules of thumb and conclusions on the factors considered most significant for consumers in their purchasing decisions. The study was carried out in four European countries, and the sample population covered different age ranges, genders and economic statuses. The main findings are that the most critical factors relate to price, quality and ease of use, but other factors, such as environmental benefits, composition and origin of materials, also affect bio-based products. In addition, this study concludes that most people do not understand some important aspects related to bio-based products, and product information and communication channels need to be improved. Therefore, purchasing strategies for bio-based products should focus on addressing these shortcomings, making the decision to buy bio-based products a quick and easy action.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Laborda & Felipe Del-Busto & Carmen Bartolomé & Víctor Fernández, 2023. "Analysing the Social Acceptance of Bio-Based Products Made from Recycled Absorbent Hygiene Products in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-38, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3008-:d:1060533
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/4/3008/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/4/3008/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Juan Aranda & David Zambrana-Vásquez & Felipe Del-Busto & Fernando Círez, 2021. "Social Impact Analysis of Products under a Holistic Approach: A Case Study in the Meat Product Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Karina Nicolle Esbeih & Valentín Molina-Moreno & Pedro Núñez-Cacho & Bruna Silva-Santos, 2021. "Transition to the Circular Economy in the Fashion Industry: The Case of the Inditex Family Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Kent Walker & Fang Wan, 2012. "The Harm of Symbolic Actions and Green-Washing: Corporate Actions and Communications on Environmental Performance and Their Financial Implications," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 109(2), pages 227-242, August.
    4. Annelies Verdurme & Jacques Viaene, 2003. "Consumer beliefs and attitude towards genetically modified food: Basis for segmentation and implications for communication," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 19(1), pages 91-113.
    5. James Gaffey & Helena McMahon & Emily Marsh & Kaisa Vehmas & Tiina Kymäläinen & John Vos, 2021. "Understanding Consumer Perspectives of Bio-Based Products—A Comparative Case Study from Ireland and The Netherlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, May.
    6. Thảo Việt Trần & Thảo Hương Phan & Anh Thị Trâm Lê & Trang Mai Trần, 2022. "Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Transition to a Circular Economy (CE) in Vietnam by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-14, January.
    7. Qinglong Wang & Jiale Huang & Xian Zhang & Weina Qin & Huina Zhang & Yani Dong, 2022. "Climate Change and Human Response to Sustainable Environmental Governance Policy: Tax or Emissions Trading?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-13, August.
    8. José M. Alonso-Calero & Josefa Cano & M. Olga Guerrero-Pérez, 2021. "Is the “Green Washing” Effect Stronger than Real Scientific Knowledge? Are We Able to Transmit Formal Knowledge in the Face of Marketing Campaigns?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    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. Mohammadreza Naeimirad & Bas Krins & Gert-Jan M. Gruter, 2023. "A Review on Melt-Spun Biodegradable Fibers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-56, October.

    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. Víctor Fernández & Elena Laborda & Felipe Del-Busto & Carmen Bartolomé, 2023. "Social Perspectives towards Biobased Products and Textiles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-24, January.
    2. Contreras-Pacheco, Orlando E. & Claasen, Cyrlene, 2017. "Fuzzy reporting as a way for a company to greenwash: perspectives from the Colombian reality," MPRA Paper 85472, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Simone Pizzi, 2018. "The Relationship between Non-financial Reporting, Environmental Strategies and Financial Performance. Empirical Evidence from Milano Stock Exchange," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-9, November.
    4. Flasher, R. & Luchs, C.K. & Souza, J.L., 2018. "Sustainability assurance provider participation in standard setting," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 20-25.
    5. Francesca Bernini & Fabio La Rosa, 2024. "Research in the greenwashing field: concepts, theories, and potential impacts on economic and social value," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 28(2), pages 405-444, June.
    6. Zelong Wei & Hao Shen & Kevin Zheng Zhou & Julie Juan Li, 2017. "How Does Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility Matter in a Dysfunctional Institutional Environment? Evidence from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 140(2), pages 209-223, January.
    7. Wei Li & Weining Li & Veikko Seppänen & Timo Koivumäki, 2022. "How and when does perceived greenwashing affect employees' job performance? Evidence from China," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1722-1735, September.
    8. Dong, Ciwei & Huang, Qianzhi & Pan, Yuqing & Ng, Chi To & Liu, Renjun, 2023. "Logistics outsourcing: Effects of greenwashing and blockchain technology," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    9. Simon Chege Kimenju & Hugo De Groote, 2008. "Consumer willingness to pay for genetically modified food in Kenya," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 38(1), pages 35-46, January.
    10. Jo Crotty & Diane Holt, 2021. "Towards a typology of strategic corporate social responsibility through camouflage and courtship analogies," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(3), pages 980-991, May.
    11. Xingqiang Du & Jianying Weng & Quan Zeng & Yingying Chang & Hongmei Pei, 2017. "Do Lenders Applaud Corporate Environmental Performance? Evidence from Chinese Private-Owned Firms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 143(1), pages 179-207, June.
    12. Bazlur RAHMAN, & Idris ALI, & Alexandru Mircea NEDELEA, 2017. "Greenwashing In Canadian Firms: An Assessment Of Environmental Claimsgreenwashing In Canadian Firms: An Assessment Of Environmental Claims," EcoForum, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Romania, Faculty of Economics and Public Administration - Economy, Business Administration and Tourism Department., vol. 6(2), pages 1-8, july.
    13. Sharma, Amalesh & Moses, Aditya Christopher & Borah, Sourav Bikash & Adhikary, Anirban, 2020. "Investigating the impact of workforce racial diversity on the organizational corporate social responsibility performance: An institutional logics perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 138-152.
    14. Javier Parra-Domínguez & Fátima David & Tania Azevedo, 2021. "Family Firms and Coupling among CSR Disclosures and Performance," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, March.
    15. Qiong Yao & Suzhen Zeng & Shibin Sheng & Shiyuan Gong, 2021. "Green innovation and brand equity: moderating effects of industrial institutions," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 38(2), pages 573-602, June.
    16. Croce, Annalisa & Toschi, Laura & Ughetto, Elisa & Zanni, Sara, 2024. "Cleantech and policy framework in Europe: A machine learning approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    17. 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.
    18. Mahabubur Rahman & Saqib Aziz & Mathew Hughes, 2020. "The product‐market performance benefits of environmental policy: Why customer awareness and firm innovativeness matter," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 2001-2018, July.
    19. Birindelli, Giuliana & Chiappini, Helen & Jalal, Raja Nabeel-Ud-Din, 2024. "Greenwashing, bank financial performance and the moderating role of gender diversity," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    20. Rongbing Huang & Yubo Huang, 2020. "Does Internal Control Contribute to a Firm’s Green Information Disclosure? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-23, April.

    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:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3008-:d:1060533. 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.