Enhancing consumers' acceptance of products made of recycled plastic

Enhancing consumers' acceptance of products made of recycled plastic

Mengelers, Tara (TU Delft Industrial Design Engineering)

Mugge, R. (mentor)
Polyportis, A. (graduation committee)

Delft University of Technology

Strategic Product Design

2021-10-29

This graduation project researched how the consumer acceptance of products made of recycled plastic could be enhanced. It provided a great understanding of how products made of recycled plastic are perceived by consumers. Through the process of a pressure cooker, literature review and qualitative user research resulted in eight design recommendations: Inform about product detail, make it tangible, make it attractive, make it fun, create social influence, stimulate try-out, stimulate familiarity, and build trust. These design recommendations were translated in a roadmap for the specific case of the municipality of Almere and Save Plastics, both key partners of the TRANSFORM-CE project of which this graduation project is part. The roadmap provides them with a detailed process on how they can enhance the consumer acceptance of products made of recycled plastic and grow into leaders in the transition movement towards recycled plastic as the standard norm for production by making the benefits of products made of recycled plastic tangible in a fun, informative experience for people. They will be the living example of a circular municipal plastic waste stream.

This thesis makes a contribution to Goal 12, ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, and goal 13, take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all United Nations Member States. By enhancing the consumption of products made of recycled plastic, the production of virgin plastic is limited, reducing the impact on the environment. Hopefully, it will make the world a better place!

Strategy design
consumer behaviour
Context mapping
Roadmapping
recycled plastics
sustainablility

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:ad855ab6-d1f1-4f90-aa96-a2bbfd30d875

Student theses

master thesis

© 2021 Tara Mengelers