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Social traps and the wicked problem of single‐use plastics: A marketing, policy, and consumer‐citizen perspective
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This paper looks at why single-use plastics are so hard to quit, even though most of us know they're a problem, it comes down to what researchers call "social traps," where doing what's easiest for you right now (grabbing a plastic bag or bottle) conflicts with what's best for everyone in the long run (a cleaner planet with less plastic pollution). The authors argue that solving this isn't just about individual willpower; it requires smarter marketing and policy that make the eco-friendly choice the easy choice. This matters for your health because unaddressed plastic waste keeps breaking down into microplastics that contaminate our water, food, and even our
Abstract Wicked problems pose both immediate and existential threats. Within this article we explore the underlying nature of wicked problems, including the social traps embedded in them. We deconstruct the ecosystem surrounding single‐use plastics to make key points regarding controversies and conflicting interests surrounding wicked problems. We propose that wicked problems may be reframed by unpacking the relationships between individuals and collectives and how social traps are understood in terms of time horizon, ownership, responsibility, and involvement. We argue that resolutions to social traps are paramount to resolving wicked problems in the case of single‐use plastics and to wicked problems more generally. We draw from marketing, psychology, public policy, and consumer research literature to suggest specific ways marketing can mitigate or perhaps eliminate the insidious dynamic of social traps and wicked problems, and in turn affect positive outcomes to enhance the short‐term and long‐term well‐being for many consumers and stakeholders.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.