exploring stakeholder perspectives on best practices for reducing plastic
Emily Cowan (Author), Andy M. Booth (Author), Andreas Misund (Author), Katja Klun (Author), Ana Rotter (Author), Rachel Tiller (Author)

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we conducted and documented workshops and interviews in Norway and Slovenia to identify stakeholder and future generation opinions and mitigation strategies for solving one of the most prominent environmental issues: plastic pollution. As part of the EU H2020 project GoJelly, stakeholders were brought together to explore their perceptions on considering jellyfish mucus as a new resource to contribute to reducing plastic pollution from entering the marine environment. The study was conducted in the spring of 2019, in a context directly after the European Union (EU) announced its Directive to ban the most commonly used single-use plastic (SUP) items. The study applied the snowball method as a methodological choice to identify relevant stakeholders. Systems thinking was utilized as a participatory modelling approach, which allowed for the creation of conceptual mind maps from the various workshops and interviews, to understand consumers’ consciousness, and to map out ideas on plastic pollution reduction. Plastic pollution takes place on a global scale and stakeholders discussed their individual perceptions of national and international solutions that could be put in place to solve it, including the opportunities around utilizing jellyfish mucus to filter and capture micro- and nanoplastic. We found that industry stakeholders in both case areas were generally more accepting of policy and increased innovation moving forward, but placed weight on the scientific community to conduct more research on the pollution issue and propose solutions. Future generation stakeholders (youth aged 14–18), however, put emphasis on consumer behavior and buying patterns of single-use products fueling the plastic crisis.

Keywords

ekologija;plastika;plastika za enkratno uporabo;vključevanje zainteresiranih strani;onesnaženje s plastiko;sistemsko razmišljanje;ecology;plastics;single-use plastic;stakeholder integration;plastic pollution;systems thinking;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: NIB - National Institute of Biology
UDC: 574
COBISS: 73971971 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2076-3298
Views: 29
Downloads: 10
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Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: ekologija;plastika;plastika za enkratno uporabo;vključevanje zainteresiranih strani;onesnaženje s plastiko;sistemsko razmišljanje;
Source comment: Št. članka: 81;
Pages: str. 1-16
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ8
Issue: ǂiss. ǂ8
Chronology: 16 Aug 2021
DOI: 10.3390/environments8080081
ID: 24555918