Plastic dieting block by block

Published on November 12, 2020

Afry ÅF Pöyry AB received a grant from the Swedish EPA to implement a nudging project to stimulate people to use reusable lunch boxes instead of disposable packaging. Lunch boxes could be borrowed at the two workplaces included in the project. The method was used for three weeks and the results show that there is great potential for success in using this kind of solution in restaurants. The project can help reduce plastic litter and help consumers to create sustainable choices.

The research project promotes sustainable consumption by delivering a nudging method for reuse of lunch boxes instead of personnel buying new boxes each time for lunch. The project was run for three weeks and worked well. About 30-50% of the employed staff who responded the follow-up survey had used a box at least once during the test period. The survey showed that the most important factors for wanting to borrow a lunch box was: 1) Boxes have to be easily accessible, 2) There has to be information about wich restaurants allow you to bring your own lunch box instead of using disposable packaging, and 3) Most people behave like their friends, collegues or neighbours do (consider ambassadors!). Contact asa.abrahamsson@afry.com at Afry.