There is an urgent need to assess European citizens’ perspective regarding their plastic consumption and to evaluate their awareness of the direct and indirect effect of plastics on human health in order to influence current behavior trends. In this study, the evaluation has been cross-related with scientific facts, with the final aim of detecting the most recommendable paths in increasing human awareness, reducing plastic consumption, and consequently impacting human health. A statistical analysis of quantitative data, gathered from 1000 European citizens via an online survey in the period from May to June 2020, showed that a general awareness about the direct impact of plastic consumption and contamination (waste) on human health is high in Europe. However, only a few participants (from a higher educational group) were aware of the indirect negative effects that oil extraction and industrial production of plastic can have on human health. This finding calls for improved availability of this information to general public. Despite the participants’ positive attitude toward active plastic reduction (61%), plastic consumption on a daily basis is still very high (86%). The most common current actions toward plastic reduction are plastic bag usage, reusage, or replacement with sustainable alternatives (e.g., textile bags) and selecting products with less plastic packaging. The participants showed important criticism toward the information available to the general public about plastics and health. This awareness is important since significant relation has been found between the available information and the participants’ decisions on the actions they might undertake to reduce plastic consumption. The study clearly showed the willingness of the participants to take action, but they also requested to be strongly supported with joint efforts from government, policies, and marketing, defining it as the most successful way toward implementing these changes.

The world production of plastic exceeded 360 million tonnes in 2020 alone, a considerable amount of which is not properly disposed of. The significant pressures and damages posed by conventional plastic to human and environmental health suggest that alternatives are urgently needed. One of them is “bioplastic”, which is defined as bio-based plastic that is (or not) biodegradable. This paper reports on a study on the perceptions of bioplastics among consumers in 42 countries to identify their levels of information and concerns. The results suggest that most respondents have positive expectations regarding the future of bioplastics to replace conventional plastics fully or partially, especially for food containers, kitchenware, and boxes and bags for packaging. They also reported that the low costs and increased availability of bioplastic products on the market are likely to be the main drivers for their wide-scale adoption. However, many participants are unsure whether they would buy bio-based and biodegradable products if they are expensive. Overall, whereas a rather positive attitude to bioplastics has been identified, greater efforts are needed to address the many information needs of consumers towards upscaling the adoption of bioplastics. Relevant policies are therefore needed to encourage investments in the large-scale manufacture and market uptake of bioplastics. The paper reports on an initial study of consumer behavior, in a sample of countries spread across all geographical regions.

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Ziel der Studie ist es, die Verteilungsunterschiede von psychischen Auffälligkeiten (Emotionale Probleme, Verhaltensauffälligkeiten, Probleme mit Gleichaltrigen, Hyperaktivität) bei 11- bis 17-jährigen Mädchen und Jungen zwischen sozioökonomischen Statusgruppen zu untersuchen. MethodikDatenbasis bildete die Querschnittserhebung der „Studie zur Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland“ – KiGGS Welle 2 (2014–2017, n=15.023). Es wurden Daten von 11- bis 17-jährigen Jugendlichen (n=6599) insgesamt und getrennt nach zwei Altersgruppen analysiert. Als abhängige Variable fungierten die Elternangaben zum „Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire“ (SDQ). Als unabhängige Variable diente ein mehrdimensionaler Indexwert, der den sozioökonomischen Status (SES) der Familie repräsentiert. Prävalenzen und auf binären logistischen Regressionen basierende Odds Ratios (OR) werden ausgewiesen. ErgebnisseEtwa 15,7% der 11- bis 17-Jährigen wiesen psychische Auffälligkeiten auf. Mädchen zeigten häufiger internalisierende und Jungen eher externalisierende Auffälligkeiten. Psychische Auffälligkeiten waren bei Jugendlichen aus Familien mit niedrigem SES im Vergleich zu denen mit hohem SES mehr als 2-fach erhöht (aOR: 2,32; 95%-KI: 1,81–2,97; p<0,001). Mädchen aus Familien mit niedrigem SES wiesen im Gegensatz zu Mädchen mit hohem SES deutlich häufiger Auffälligkeiten in den Subdimensionen wie „Emotionale Probleme“ auf (aOR: 2,06; 95%-KI: 1,49–2,98; p<0,001). Bei Jungen fanden sich geringfügige Verteilungsunterschiede nach SES. SchlussfolgerungPsychische Auffälligkeiten sind bei Jugendlichen nach SES ungleich verteilt. 11-bis 17- jährige Jungen sind unabhängig vom SES häufiger von psychischen Auffälligkeiten betroffen, während bei Mädchen die Verteilungsunterschiede nach SES stärker ausgeprägt sind.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic, which began at the end of 2019, has led to a significant increase in the demand for face masks in Germany and around the globe. Since non-reusable masks are often not correctly disposed of and are not biodegradable, their increasing use harms the environment. Both the ongoing pandemic and the rising environmental pollution eventually pose a threat to human health. Yet, it is unclear whether mask users are conscious of this, and which factors influence their choice of face masks. This study investigates the user preferences, perceived effectiveness, and the sustainability of different mouth/nose protection (MNP) to lay the foundation for developing more sustainable and effective alternatives.MethodsA national (Germany-wide) cross-sectional study with a sample of 1,036 participants was conducted. Descriptive data analysis was deployed to describe trends and socio-demographic differences among the respondents. Different socio-demographic groups among the respondents were compared regarding their infection risk perception, compliance toward the use of personal protective measures, their choice of MNP, and knowledge level of sustainability and effectiveness of various MNP using inferential statistics (Chi2 test/Whitney–Mann-U-test/Kruskal–Wallis-test).ResultsThe results suggest that, in addition to protective effectiveness, the reusability of MNP is important to not just most respondents but especially to older participants. In contrast, the price, shape, and design were not as important. The knowledge level of the effectiveness and sustainability of MNP was high among the participants and was not associated with socioeconomic characteristics. However, the knowledge level directly influenced the choice of MNP.ConclusionThere seems to be an inclination to use sustainable MNP, provided their level of protection is similar to medical masks or FFP2/FFP3 masks. The willingness to wear a sustainable option increases with age.

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