Assessing the risk perception towards microplastics

Since the last century, the use of plastic has increased dramatically. Plastic invading the environment is breaking into smaller pieces called mesoplastic, larger microplastic, and small microplastic particles. These pieces have been found in flora and fauna which is likely ending up in our food. In order to prevent more damage, a change in consumer behaviour is necessary. Nevertheless, plastic consumption has increased even though statistics indicate an increasing seriousness in the population, hence the it got more relevant to the individual. This might indicate an increased concern as well as risk awareness, but does this eventually lead to a change in consumer behaviour? This study is going to measure if the intention to change behaviour is being predicted by an individual’s risk perception, concern and psychological distance. A regression analysis is going to measure the hypothesis for high-risk perception, lower psychological distance, as well as higher concern. Lower psychological distance leading to higher concern, and higher behavioural intentions. As well as high concern leading to higher behavioural intention. The results indicate an overall significance, especially in relation to temporal psychological distance. Nevertheless, the results also show that the participants might not know how to change their behaviour after all.