Consumer Perception of the Zero-Waste Concept: a Hungarian Case Study

Abstract

Sustainability is a concept that many people are familiar with, but it also seems elusive and difficult to generalize. Part of this concept is the Zero Waste mindset, which exists in equally diverse forms in people's minds. The research uses the 7R approach of the Zero Waste framework, adapted to consumers, to analyze which consumer groups can be distinguished from each other in terms of Zero Waste thinking. The methodology is based on a questionnaire analysis with the use of an HSD test. The results show that rethinking is the most widespread within the 7R concept, as the effects of most moderating variables (generation, gender, information gathering, product purchase, knowledge of the 7R concept, perceived income) can be measured in its case. In addition, 3 groups (Perfectionists, Adopters, and Rejecters) were created based on the consumers’ mindset of Zero Waste and named according to the means of the variables associated with the 7Rs. The present research is a Hungarian case study, which illustrates the existence of Zero Waste awareness and activities and should be extended to other nations as well.