Consumers’ perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bio-based treatments on disposable dinnerware
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are forever chemicals that have been used for their heat, grease, and water-resistant properties on disposable dinnerware. However, PFAS pose risks to human health and the environment and alternative treatments are currently being implemented in the disposa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agriculture and Food Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324004733 |
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| author | Alicia Rihn Niki Labbe Kalavathy Rajan Gourav Kamboj Samuel Jackson Kellie Tiller Kimberly Jensen |
| author_facet | Alicia Rihn Niki Labbe Kalavathy Rajan Gourav Kamboj Samuel Jackson Kellie Tiller Kimberly Jensen |
| author_sort | Alicia Rihn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are forever chemicals that have been used for their heat, grease, and water-resistant properties on disposable dinnerware. However, PFAS pose risks to human health and the environment and alternative treatments are currently being implemented in the disposable dinnerware industry, including bio- or plant-based treatments. To date, consumer perceptions of the practical usage and environment-related attributes of PFAS versus plant-based alternative treatments have not been addressed. An online survey elicited 1304 U S. consumers' perceptions of the attributes from each treatment and factors impacting those perceptions. On average, participants purchased disposable plates 13 times per year with 50 % ± 50 purchasing them for everyday use. Approximately 20 % ± 40 of the sample had heard of PFAS prior to the study while 62 % ± 49 had heard of bio-based products. In general, PFAS treatments were perceived as performing slightly better in the practical usage attributes (i.e., grease resistant, water resistant, durable); however, the plant-based alternative treatments were perceived as more environmentally friendly (i.e., better for the environment, better for personal health, recyclable, compostable). Older participants viewing plant-based treatments as better at grease resistance, water resistance, durability, and microwavable relative to younger participants. Conversely, people with higher education levels viewed plant-based treatments as less resistant to grease but more durable. Interestingly, participants’ perceptions and existing knowledge of PFAS and bio-based products influenced their perceptions of plant-based treatments being more environmentally friendly. Results provide insights for industry stakeholders as they move forward in implementing PFAS alternative treatments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d42e30ddb1154a2e845a984d7cb1e7b2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-1543 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Agriculture and Food Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-d42e30ddb1154a2e845a984d7cb1e7b22025-08-20T02:49:06ZengElsevierJournal of Agriculture and Food Research2666-15432024-12-011810143610.1016/j.jafr.2024.101436Consumers’ perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bio-based treatments on disposable dinnerwareAlicia Rihn0Niki Labbe1Kalavathy Rajan2Gourav Kamboj3Samuel Jackson4Kellie Tiller5Kimberly Jensen6Dept. of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA; Corresponding author. Agricultural & Resource Economics, 321C Morgan Hall, 2621 Morgan Circle, Knoxville, TN 37996, USAThe Bredesen Center, Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USAFiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79410, USACenter for Renewable Carbon, Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USAHudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, 34806, USAGenera Energy, Inc., Vonore, TN, 37885, USADept. of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USAPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are forever chemicals that have been used for their heat, grease, and water-resistant properties on disposable dinnerware. However, PFAS pose risks to human health and the environment and alternative treatments are currently being implemented in the disposable dinnerware industry, including bio- or plant-based treatments. To date, consumer perceptions of the practical usage and environment-related attributes of PFAS versus plant-based alternative treatments have not been addressed. An online survey elicited 1304 U S. consumers' perceptions of the attributes from each treatment and factors impacting those perceptions. On average, participants purchased disposable plates 13 times per year with 50 % ± 50 purchasing them for everyday use. Approximately 20 % ± 40 of the sample had heard of PFAS prior to the study while 62 % ± 49 had heard of bio-based products. In general, PFAS treatments were perceived as performing slightly better in the practical usage attributes (i.e., grease resistant, water resistant, durable); however, the plant-based alternative treatments were perceived as more environmentally friendly (i.e., better for the environment, better for personal health, recyclable, compostable). Older participants viewing plant-based treatments as better at grease resistance, water resistance, durability, and microwavable relative to younger participants. Conversely, people with higher education levels viewed plant-based treatments as less resistant to grease but more durable. Interestingly, participants’ perceptions and existing knowledge of PFAS and bio-based products influenced their perceptions of plant-based treatments being more environmentally friendly. Results provide insights for industry stakeholders as they move forward in implementing PFAS alternative treatments.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324004733Molded dinnerwareOnline surveyOrdered probit modelPlant-based treatments |
| spellingShingle | Alicia Rihn Niki Labbe Kalavathy Rajan Gourav Kamboj Samuel Jackson Kellie Tiller Kimberly Jensen Consumers’ perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bio-based treatments on disposable dinnerware Journal of Agriculture and Food Research Molded dinnerware Online survey Ordered probit model Plant-based treatments |
| title | Consumers’ perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bio-based treatments on disposable dinnerware |
| title_full | Consumers’ perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bio-based treatments on disposable dinnerware |
| title_fullStr | Consumers’ perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bio-based treatments on disposable dinnerware |
| title_full_unstemmed | Consumers’ perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bio-based treatments on disposable dinnerware |
| title_short | Consumers’ perceptions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bio-based treatments on disposable dinnerware |
| title_sort | consumers perceptions of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bio based treatments on disposable dinnerware |
| topic | Molded dinnerware Online survey Ordered probit model Plant-based treatments |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324004733 |
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