Resolving the Do/Do Not Debate: Communication Perspective to Enhance Sustainable Lifestyles

Clear and memorable environmental messaging has been scarce. Recycling contamination is an urgent environmental concern because the public is confused about which items can and cannot be recycled. Environmental campaigns utilizing message framing, a method used to emphasize either the benefits of performing or loss of avoiding an action, may help combat this problem. We conducted an online study (n = 1199) and randomly assigned participants to view positively or negatively framed (do vs. do not) messages. Results revealed that participants who viewed negative messages with do not descriptors increased recycling intention, mediated by increased recycling contamination knowledge and recycling efficacy (95% CI: 0.03, 0.08). The findings suggest that recycling instructions may be more effective when messages are framed negatively using inhibitive descriptors. Results of this study can inform development of environmental campaigns to improve sustainable lifestyles.

Preparation of a Novel Cement from Red Mud and Limestone

Red mud (RM) is an industrial waste obtained from the Bayer process which is usually discharged into marine or disposed into a landfill causing pollution for the surrounding water, air, and soils. Thus, disposal of RM is an environmental concern, and it should be recycled effectively. Because RM consists of iron- and aluminum-rich phases, it is possible to be processed into cementitious material and utilized for construction purposes. This research fabricated a type of cement from the mixture of RM and limestone. The mixture was sintered at temperature of 1180 °C to obtain the clinker of the novel hydraulic cement with C2S, C3A, and C4AF minerals. In which, C2S, C3A, and C4AF are respectively belite, alite, and tetra-calcium aluminoferrite compounds that are characteristic hydraulic minerals of Portland cement clinker. The specifications of this cement were tested and evaluated in this study such as chemical and mineralogical compositions, fineness, specific surface area, mechanical strength after 3, 7, and 28 days.

“Why Do We Buy Green Products?” An Extended Theory of the Planned Behavior Model for Green Product Purchase Behavior

Many consumers are concerned about environmental issues and have expressed interest in purchasing green products. However, actual sales of green products are still not as high as expected. Therefore, marketers of green products may need to investigate the factors driving green purchase behaviors. In this study, we proposed an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) model that links consumers’ environmental concerns, perceived image of the company, consumer innovativeness, and environmental knowledge with green product purchase behavior. We applied a quantitative approach to collect the data via online questionnaires through Amazon MTurk. With 974 useable samples, the data were analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM) using Smart PLS. The results showed that green purchase intention positively and significantly affects green purchase behavior. Moreover, the multigroup analysis revealed that the direct influence of green purchase intention on green purchase behavior is higher in developing countries than in developed countries. Regarding the direct effect on green purchase intention, attitude toward green products, perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE), environmental concern, and company’s perceived green image are significant antecedents of the intention to purchase, with attitude toward green products being the most robust antecedent among the three. However, subjective norms do not act as a direct antecedent of purchase intention. For the indirect effect on green purchase intention, four main antecedents (attitude toward green products, subjective norms, PCE, and environmental concerns) indirectly impact purchase intention via the mediating role of the perceived green image of the company. This study contributes to existing literatures via extending the TPB model. Regarding attitude-intention-behavior model, we found that environmental concern complements the model as an antecedent of green purchase intention. Moreover, a company’s perceived green image mediates the relationship between four antecedents and green purchase intention. Therefore, marketers of green products may also enhance future purchases by promoting the green image of the company. Particularly, we found that environmental knowledge positively moderates the relationship between environmental concern and a company’s perceived green image. We added on the empirical evidence that PCE plays a crucial role in stimulating green purchases as its direct positive influence on green purchase behavior is larger than that of green purchase intention. Moreover, consumer innovativeness positively moderates the relationship between PCE and green purchase intention.

Effect of Halloysite Nanotubes on Physico-Mechanical Properties of Silk/Basalt Fabric Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites have become more attractive due to their high specific strength, light weight and environmental concern. However, some limitations such as low modulus and poor moisture resistance were reported. This paper presents the role of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) on physico-mechanical properties of bidirectional silk and basalt fiber reinforced epoxy (SF-BF/Ep) hybrid composites. Vacuum bagging and ultra-sonication method were used for the fabrication of hybrid composite slabs. The effect of HNT loadings (1.5, 3 and 4.5 wt. %) on physico-mechanical characteristics like density, hardness, flexural and impact properties of SF-BF/Ep composites were determined according to ASTM standards. Experimental results revealed that the incorporation of HNTs improves the mechanical properties. The impact strength of SF-BF/Ep is predominant at 3 wt. % HNT loading where the impact strength surges to 568.67 J/m, which may render HNT filled SF-BF/Ep desirable for various toughness-critical structural applications. The test results demonstrated that SF-BF/Ep-3HNT coded composites exhibited improved mechanical properties among the all composites.

Do Community Engagement And Fairness Matter In Local Acceptance Of Wind Turbines In Tunisia?

Environmental concern is considered as a significant interest for companies, government and communities. These stakeholders are conscious about the energy situation but this consciousness is not always reflected in actions of acceptance. Accordingly, this research paper sheds light on the impact of the main key factors influencing the community acceptance of wind energy projects in Tunisia. An extensive literature review about community acceptance, community engagement, fairness and perceived risks is presented. Based on previous studies, authors identify the relationships between these variables. A quantitative approach is used to test the hypotheses using responses from a sample of 265 survey respondents in Tunisia. The research results and implications are discussed. Recommendations to be considered by interest stakeholders are drawn.

The Impact of Environmental Concern on Consumer Attitudes and Intentions Toward Electric Vehicles

This research aims to analyze the impact of environmental concerns on Turkish consumers' attitudes toward and intention to purchase EVs. It is also aimed to investigate the role of demographical characteristics—gender, age, income, and education—on those impacts. Given the purpose, a descriptive study was conducted through an online survey with a sample of 334 consumers. The research findings indicate that environmental concern plays a significantly influential role in the attitude toward and intention to purchase EVs. The study also confirms that environmental concern impacts on the attitude and intention toward EVs differs in terms of gender, age, and income. Only women show a positive influence of environmental concern on the attitude toward EVs. There is no difference in the direct or indirect link between EV purchase intention and environmental concern for age groups. Environmental concern's indirect influence on the intention to buy EVs is the highest and significantly different for the consumers with 7500-9999 TL income.