Browsing by Author "Tuovinen, Evelina"

Packaging is necessary in our society and the amount of packaging waste is expected to grow even more on Earth. Various packaging waste sorting symbols try to influence consumers’ waste sorting behavior positively. The aim of the study was to find out how the interviewees consider packaging waste sorting symbols as a way of communication. Also, the current packaging waste sorting symbols were compared with new Nordic recycling symbols. Consumer research was carried out with theme interviews, with a sample of 10 people from the circle of acquaintances. The research materials were analyzed by thematization. The interviewees felt that the new Nordic recycling symbols were more understandable and visually pleasing than the current packaging waste sorting symbols. Several interviewees understood the new Nordic recycling symbols in contrast to the current packaging waste sorting symbols. However, the Mobius loop symbol was recognized as a sign of recyclability in the following symbols: Green Dot, plastic recycling code (PET) and liquid packaging board. None of the interviewees actively looked at the waste sorting symbols on food packaging, but if they happened to look at them, the symbols could possibly help and promote the sorting of packaging waste. According to the interviewees, paying attention to packaging waste sorting symbols could be influenced by placing symbols on the packaging, with sufficiently large size and color. The packaging waste sorting symbols could be made more understandable by adding a short text to the symbol, by also using the same symbols in other context besides packaging and with educating people about their meaning. The most environmentally aware interviewees did not think that the new sorting symbols would increase their existing waste sorting activity.