AbstractThe increasing use of disposable takeaway cups negatively affects the environment due to their non-recyclability and waste. This study investigates the adoption and sustained use of reusable takeaway cups in Belgium, including routines and experience. We did structured interviews (n=58), a survey (n=300), diary studies (n=8) and interviews with baristas (n=8). The findings provide recommendations including clear communication, incentives, and user-friendly cup design. Future research should test interventions and consider regional and cultural variations in sustainable coffee consumption.

With escalating concerns about pollution and resource depletion caused by single-use products, the need to adopt reusable alternatives is widely acknowledged. This paper presents an investigation into the barriers and motivators to the long-term use of reusable products. The qualitative research consists of thirty-two semi-structured interviews with consumers, addressing the acquisition, usage, and discontinuation of the use of reusable products. From the results, we distinguished four product categories - intimate care, daily shopping, at home, and on the go - providing tailored insights into specific barriers. Next to this, we argue that willingness, ability, and routine are needed to increase the chances of successful long-term reuse. Based on these insights, we developed suggestions for designers including several design strategies and intervention points. We recommend incorporating the suggested product categories into future research, delving into persistent usage thresholds through case studies. Besides this, alternative reuse models should be further explored.

AbstractSingle-use products often end up in the environment as waste, threatening ecosystems and human life. This indicates a need to transition towards sustainable reuse routines. In this study, we investigate to what extent reusable products are already established in society and what design properties users require. We compare the results between user clusters and countries. To create a meaningful list of reusable products to investigate, we distinguish four categories based on typical barriers by means of focus groups (n=3) and interviews (n=32). Next, we did a survey (n=3000) in three countries (Belgium, Russia, U.S.) to define user clusters and investigate product usage and design requirements. Most established products are hard-material products such as lunch boxes, while intimate hygiene products, such as menstrual cups, are not established yet. Multifunctionality and compactness are the most indicated product requirements. There are significant differences between countries and clusters for both research questions. We conclude that different types of users have different needs: while a sharing system might work for one group, a customizable option would be more suitable for others.

The production and consumption of single-use plastics (SUP) has disastrous consequences for the natural environment. Understanding which consumers are more likely to avoid SUP and why is crucial. Building on a comprehensive action determination model of ecological behavior, this study aims to specify the most relevant drivers and barriers to consumers' intentions to avoid SUP. The results of a qualitative study (N = 32) and a quantitative study (N = 3,000), conducted across multiple countries (United States, Russia, and Belgium), reveal that positive attitudes and subjective norms regarding SUP alternatives enhance consumers' intentions to avoid SUP. Our analysis also shows the existence of four consumer segments—SUP addicts, SUP avoiders, the apathetic, and situation-driven SUP users—who differ in their intentions to avoid SUP and their motivations. While habits in using SUP, and situational constraints and hygienic concerns regarding SUP alternatives do not play a significant role in the whole cross-national sample, they represent crucial barriers for specific segments such as SUP addicts and situation-driven SUP users. The study concludes with several marketing and design recommendations for promoting and developing reusable alternatives for single-use plastics.

A first test of the field capabilities of a novel in situ sampling technique combining active and passive sampling (APS) was conducted in the sea. The proof-of-concept device uses a pump to draw water into a diffusion cell where dissolved target substances are accumulated onto sorbents which are selective for different classes of contaminants (i.e., metal cations, polar and non-polar organic compounds), simultaneously. A controlled laminar flow established in the diffusion cell enables measurements of contaminant concentrations that are fully independent from the hydrodynamic conditions in the bulk solution. APS measurements were consistent with those obtained using conventional passive sampling techniques such as organic diffusive gradients in thin films (o-DGT) and silicone rubber (SR) samplers (generally < 40% difference), taking into account the prevailing hydrodynamic conditions. The use of performance reference compounds (PRC) for hydrophobic contaminants provided additional information. Field measurements of metal ions in seawater showed large variability due to issues related to the device configuration. An improved field set-up deployed in supplementary freshwater mesocosm experiments provided metal speciation data that was consistent with passive sampling measurements (DGT), taking into account the hydrodynamic conditions. Overall, the results indicate that the APS technique provides a promising approach for the determination of a wide range of contaminants simultaneously, and independently from the hydrodynamic conditions in the bulk solution.

Abstract Fast fashion, with its focus on cheap clothing and everchanging trends, has an enormous negative environmental and social impact. Despite rising consumer awareness and slow fashion as an emerging trend, many consumers often still rely on fast fashion. This research aims to create insights into why customers keep returning to fast fashion and what is holding them back from buying sustainable fashion. This is done through a quantitative survey (n=521) and qualitative semi-structured interviews (n=9). Based on the findings, opportunities are defined for designers on how, where, and when to intervene, and on which target group to focus. The main obstacles that counter slow fashion are (i) a lack of understandable and clear information, (ii) the price or available budget, and (iii) the importance of social influence. Strategic design interventions should focus on educating eco-conscious and social-conscious customers based on their personal definition of sustainable fashion. By providing in-store information during time of purchase, designers can create new shopping experiences, educate customers using a positive note and build customer relations with the retailer. Further research should extend these insights with retailers' perspectives.

In order to contribute to a circular economy, as designers, we can aim to assure an extended product lifetime, which can be done following a strategy of creating product attachment. From a consumer perspective, people tend to identify themselves with the products they (want to) own and use, reflecting their identities, who they are and how they see themselves. Thus, product attachment can be positively affected by the congruity with one’s personality. A successful product needs to fulfil the user’s needs, create meaningful experiences and evoke emotions to survive in the competitive market, which also counts for the materials that the product is made of. These materials can be considered from both a technical engineering (production, durability, waste, etc.) and a user-centred experiential perspective (material perception). Therefore, this qualitative research aims to explore the consumers’ perception of plastic materials in everyday products and its link with their own personality. The paper describes the results of a mobile survey in which respondents (n = 195, average age of 29 years) were asked to upload a picture of their most and least favourite, plastic product that they use in everyday life, to describe the material(s) it is made of and explain why it (does not) fit with their personality. By means of content analysis, a categorization was made of the uploaded products and the various characteristics that described the materials and attributed to the personality fit, and a cluster analysis was done to create four personality clusters of consumers and their associated material descriptions. We suggest that insights in the relationship between the consumer’s personality and his/her material preference will support designers in choosing appropriate materials to create desirable products with a prolonged life-time.

Microfibers released by synthetic clothes have a significant negative effect on the environment. Several solutions have been proposed and evaluated for their effectiveness, but studies have failed to address the human-centered aspects of these products. In this research, the possibilities and needs from a consumer perspective for a new filtering system for domestic washing machines were examined. First, a quantitative (questionnaire) and a qualitative (interviews and observations) exploration were done to understand the desired requirements from a user perspective. Next, the acceptance of various existing solutions for microfiber catching was investigated. To verify these requirements, a new concept was designed and evaluated with a questionnaire. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. It can be concluded that the problem of microfibers is not well known, and the impact of people's washing behavior is underestimated. Since microfibers are almost invisible, the effectiveness needed to be proven. Effectiveness is seen as the most important characteristic of a product that captures microfibers, followed by durability. Both factors ensure long-term usage. However, changing washing habits is not evident, and usage should be straightforward and user-friendly to save time, especially considering the new cleaning actions, which should be clear and unambiguous.

Nail changes are a common side effect of systemic chemotherapy. Onycholysis is a severe form of nail toxicity in which the nail detaches from the nail bed. Cryotherapy can be effective in preventing chemotherapy induced nail changes as it enables cold-induced vasoconstriction (CIVC), or reduction of blood flow, and therefore limits the transport of chemotherapeutic agents towards the nail beds. Unfortunately, CIVC is inevitably followed up by cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD), causing the blood flow to increase again which reduces the effectiveness of the treatment. Moreover, the local use of extremely low temperatures induce pain and additional distress during chemo treatment. The objective of this article is to examine the usefulness of an active local cooling device for controlling blood flow in the fingertips and reducing CIVD, while limiting pain and discomfort. Three different cooling strategies are evaluated to compare their effectiveness in reducing CIVD. It is hypothesized that pulsating cooling reduces CIVD as it may limit body heat storage during the treatment.