Autor(es): Domingos, Samuel ; Farias, Ana Rita ; Possidónio, Catarina ; Luís, Sílvia ; Loureiro, Ana ; Cruz, Bernardo ; Portugal, Eliana
Data: 2025
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10437/15620
Origem: ReCiL - Repositório Científico Lusófona
Assunto(s): BIOPLASTICS; CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR; SUSTAINABILITY; MARKETING; BIOPLÁSTICOS; COMPORTAMENTO DOS CONSUMIDORES; SUSTENTABILIDADE; MARKETING; ULHT/HEI-Lab - Artigos de Revistas Internacionais com Arbitragem Científica
Bioplastics are emerging as an alternative to conventional plastics. These hold the promise of a more sustainable alternative that promotes the circular economy, while reducing dependency on fossil resources and negative environmental impacts of conventional plastics. Nevertheless, the success of bioplastics in replacing conventional plastics largely depends on consumers acceptance and demand. Here we conducted an umbrella review with the goal of aggregating and summarizing the findings regarding: (1) barriers to consumer acceptance and demand for bioplastics, and (2) recommendations to promote consumer acceptance and demand for bioplastics. This was accomplished thorough aggregating findings from recently published reviews in the field. Identified barriers include: (a) limited public awareness; (b) low knowledge; (c) biased perceptions and beliefs; (d) strong preferences; (e) misaligned expectations; (f) conflicting identity values; (g) social amplification of misleading information; and (h) complex regulatory landscapes. Recommendations suggest: (a) promoting interaction with bioplastics; (b) understanding what consumers know and what they still need to know; (c) addressing consumers’ misconceptions; (d) building positive attitudes; (e) managing expectations; (f) targeting favourable social groups; (g) making accurate and truthful claims; and (h) developing clear standards and labels. Researchers, professionals, and policy makers can find a synthesis of the main barriers to consumer acceptance and demand for bioplastics and comprehensive summary of evidence-based recommendations.
