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. 2023 Jan 11:13:1027336.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1027336. eCollection 2022.

Greater willingness to reduce microplastics consumption in Mexico than in Spain supports the importance of legislation on the use of plastics

Eva Garcia-Vazquez  1   2 , Cristina Garcia-Ael  2 , Maritza Librada Caceres Mesa  3 , Noemi Rodriguez  4 , Eduardo Dopico  4
Affiliations

Greater willingness to reduce microplastics consumption in Mexico than in Spain supports the importance of legislation on the use of plastics

Eva Garcia-Vazquez et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Microplastics (MP) threaten all organisms worldwide. MP are produced directly as microbeads in cosmetics and hygiene products, or indirectly from breakage of larger plastics. The control of MP requires consumers' engagement to refuse products containing microbeads.

Methods: We conducted a survey on 572 university students from Mexico and Spain, two countries where microbeads are not banned yet. More strict laws for plastic control areenforced in Mexico than in Spain.

Results: Controlling for age and education, despite knowing less about MP, Mexicans checked for microbeads on product labels more frequently than Spaniards, and desired to reduce MP consumption more. A stronger correlation between individual awareness and willingness of MP control was found for Mexican than for Spanish students.

Discussion: Perhaps more strict legislation against plastics creates an environment favorable to MP control. Unclear statement of microbeads on labels was the main reason for not checking microbead contents; environmental education and a stricter control of plastics and MP were identified as necessary policy changes in the two countries. Corporation engagement on clearer product labeling is also suggested.

Keywords: Mexico; Spain; consumer awareness; microplastics; microplastics risk awareness; pro-environmental behavior.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Means of Mexican and Spanish students for the variables “Checking microbeads,” “Intention to reduce microplastics consumption,” “Intention to buy eco-friendly products,” “Knowledge about microplastics,” and “Microplastics risk awareness.” Standard errors indicated.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The willingness to reduce microplastics (MP) consumption vs. awareness of microplastics risk scores. Regression fits are presented in green for Mexico and orange for Spain, with their r2-values indicated.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Reasons stated for not checking microbeads in the student groups surveyed in this study. Results are presented as the proportion of respondents that alleged each reason, by country. The total sum is higher than 100% because multiple answers were allowed.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Policies recommended for the control of microplastics in the samples surveyed in this study. Results are presented as the proportion of responses that chose each policy, by country.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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