Rethinking and optimising post-consumer packaging waste: A sentiment analysis of consumers’ perceptions towards the introduction of a deposit refund scheme in Scotland

Packaging waste production, especially single-use containers, is exerting detrimental effects on terrestrialand aquatic ecosystems, including human health. To internalise the externalities associated withsingle-use containers, different instruments, including a deposit refund scheme (DRS), have beenoperationalised in many countries. Therefore, DRS is introduced in Scotland to reduce plastic litters byincreasing recycling rates and incentivising pro-environmental behavioural change. This study addressesthe complexity of single-use plastic containers by analysing consumers’ perceptions regarding theintroduction of DRS in Scotland. Using 940 comments from the BBC ‘‘Have Your Say” messageboard, thisstudy adopts sentiment analysis to understand consumers’ opinions about the introduction andimplementation of DRS in Scotland. Findings suggest that a UK-wide scheme that is similar in terms ofoperations and structure is required for DRS to be successful. While consumers’ knowledge and opinionsabout DRS are mixed, the efficacy of DRS including its relevance is questioned and raises doubts about itscontribution to sustainability. The findings imply the need for UK countries to negotiate and collaborateon appropriate and attractive interventions in addressing post-consumer single-use plastic containers.The implications of the findings for policy and practice, especially in improving the operations of DRSare further discussed.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.09.008