Seite - 158 - in Critical Issues in Science, Technology and Society Studies - Conference Proceedings of the 17th STS Conference Graz 2018

STREAM: Sustainable Food Systems Students' knowledge and attitude towards plastic fruit packaging LESNY, Andreas, DECKER, Thomas Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Science, TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Straubing, Germany 1. Purpose of the Research The aim of this research is to get to know the attitude towards plastic fruit packaging and the environmental attitude of younger consumers. Furthermore, the knowledge regarding plastic fruit packaging and its waste is taken into account. Students were selected as the target group because they have, worldwide but especially in Europe, a positive environmental attitude (Aminrad et al. 2011; Beba & Eibl 2011; Strack et al. 2017). They are also likely to have a more environmental-friendly attitude towards plastic fruit packaging. To answer these questions an online survey was conducted to explore students' knowledge of, and attitude towards, plastic fruit packaging. 2. Background/Motivation Plastic packaging waste has doubled from 1.5 million tons to 3.0 million tons in the last 20 years in Germany causing marine debris and environmental littering (Umweltbundesamt 2017). Plastic fruit packaging is a known driver for this problem. Reasons for this increase of plastic fruit packaging waste are among others smaller packaging sizes and the consumer demand of a thick and rigid packaging (Istel et al. 2015). Furthermore, it often substitutes cardboard packaging because it has a cheaper price and better material properties. Fruit packaging has many different functions like e.g. labelling and protection (Pfohl 2004; Jünemann & Schmidt 2000). However, it is only in some cases (e.g. protection of raspberries or labelling of organic fruit) necessary, when the use of the packaging to portion the food is not considered (Istel 2016). Besides that, many consumers, especially the younger generation, claim that they don t́ like plastic fruit packaging (Bovensiepen et al. 2018). Still, supermarkets and other contributors sell their fruit in plastic packaging (e.g. a box with a lid, foil, bags). 3. Methodology The questionnaire of the quantitative online survey composed of six sections and is based on relevant literature (Dunlap et al. 2000; Foscht & Swoboda 2011; Harraway et al. 2012; Jeżewska- Zychowicz & Jeznach 2015; Plumb et al. 2013). The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding students’ 1) fruit buying behaviour, 2) knowledge of plastic fruit packaging, 3) preferences for plastic fruit packaging alternatives, 4) willingness to pay for plastic fruit packaging alternatives, 158