Optimization suggestions for reusable cup systems for event planners: A study of how consumer behavior and systems thinking can improve sustainability for reusable cups at events
Translated title
Optimization suggestions for reusable cup systems for event planners: En undersøgelse af, hvordan forbrugeradfærd og systemtænkning kan forbedre bæredygtigheden for vaskbare krus ved events
Author
Ulmer, Peter Smedegaard
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-08-12
Pages
95
Abstract
Many events use single-use cups. Reusable cups are seen as a more sustainable option, but only if each cup is used enough times. Most research has focused on the environmental footprint, while less attention has been given to how consumers help the system work. This thesis addresses that gap. The study used interviews with experts and with event participants to understand consumer behavior, and on-site observations at an event to identify parts around the reusable cup system that influence the chance of changing behavior. The conclusion is that, for reusable cups to be more sustainable than single-use cups at events, the system must be optimized to effectively shape consumer behavior and raise the return rate (the share of cups brought back for reuse).
Mange events bruger engangskopper. Genbrugskopper betragtes som et mere bæredygtigt alternativ, men kun hvis de bliver brugt tilstrækkeligt mange gange. Hidtil har forskningen især fokuseret på produkternes miljøaftryk, mens der er mindre viden om, hvordan forbrugerne kan få systemet til at fungere. Dette speciale undersøger netop forbrugernes rolle. Metoden bestod af interviews med fageksperter og med deltagere på et event for at forstå forbrugeradfærd, samt observationer på et event for at identificere dele omkring genbrugskopsystemet, som påvirker mulighederne for at ændre adfærd. Konklusionen er, at genbrugskopper kun kan blive et mere bæredygtigt alternativ end engangskopper ved events, hvis systemet optimeres, så det effektivt påvirker forbrugernes adfærd og øger returprocenten (andelen af kopper, der afleveres tilbage til genbrug).
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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