We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Wasting the Restorative Potential: Influences of Plastic and Biowaste on Psychological Restoration After Real, Virtual, and Imagined Walks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted three studies examining how plastic litter and biowaste in natural environments diminish the psychological restorative benefits of spending time in nature, finding that even imagined or virtually depicted litter reduced positive affect and perceived restoration. The findings highlight pollution as a threat not only to ecological health but also to human mental wellbeing.
Nature experiences benefit human wellbeing by, for example, increasing subjective restoration and positive affect while reducing negative affect. However, natural environments are threatened by several crises, including pollution. In three preregistered studies, one correlational and two experimental, we investigated the relationship between (plastic) litter and restoration after a walk. In Study 1, participants did a self-selected restorative walk and afterwards reported observed litter. In two experimental studies, we manipulated the presence of plastic waste, biowaste (which served as an active control condition with human-sourced but degradable litter), and no waste in a virtual (i.e., video; Study 2) and an imagined (Study 3) forest walk. In all studies, we assessed subjective restoration, current affect and connectedness to nature, attractiveness and preference of scenery, as well as plastic-related problem awareness, intentions, and policy support. Results showed that litter, especially from plastic, is associated with harmful changes in subjective restoration, affect, and the perception of the scenery. Connectedness to nature, as well as plastic-related problem awareness, intentions, and policy support were not affected by the presence of plastic. Thus, plastic pollution influences human wellbeing negatively, but did not affect factors important to reduce consumption. Therefore, more research on tackling the plastic crisis is needed.
More Papers Like This
Wasting the restorative potential: Influences of plastic and biowaste on psychological restoration after real, virtual, and imagined walks
AI summary Read the abstract
This study across three experiments found that plastic litter, especially plastic waste, reduces subjective restoration, positive affect, and scenic attractiveness during nature walks compared to no-litter conditions. Biowaste served as an active control but showed lesser negative effects, while connectedness to nature and pro-environmental behaviors were not significantly altered by plastic presence.
What is known and unknown about the effects of plastic pollution: A meta‐analysis and systematic review
AI summary Read the abstract
This meta-analysis and systematic review pools data from hundreds of studies to assess whether plastic pollution, both large pieces and microplastics, poses a real ecological threat. The findings confirm negative effects on wildlife across many species and environments, underscoring that plastic pollution is not just an aesthetic problem but a genuine risk to ecosystems and the food chains humans rely on.
Human Perceptions and Behaviour Determine Aquatic Plastic Pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how human behavior and decision-making at every stage of the plastic lifecycle — from production and consumption to disposal — ultimately drives aquatic plastic pollution, arguing that lasting solutions require behavioral change across all sectors rather than purely technological fixes.
Public perception of microplastics pollution in Switzerland: Psychological distance, concern, and willingness to engage in mitigation activities
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed over 900 people in Switzerland to understand how the public perceives microplastic pollution and their willingness to take action. The study found that people perceive microplastics as a relatively close threat on most psychological dimensions, and that concern about the issue, particularly concern for nature, is a stronger predictor of willingness to engage in mitigation activities than psychological distance alone.
Explicitly and Implicitly Measured Valence and Risk Attitudes Towards Plastic Packaging, Plastic Waste, and Microplastic in a German Sample
AI summary Read the abstract
This psychology study measured both explicit and implicit attitudes toward plastic packaging and microplastics in German consumers, finding that people simultaneously appreciate the convenience of plastic while expressing concern about pollution. The gap between attitudes and behavior helps explain why plastic consumption continues despite public concern about microplastics.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.