Description
This thesis project identified patterns in consumer behavior that have the potential to influence and nurture sustainability as a key decision driver. By focusing on the low-hanging fruit of single use to-go items such as plastic cutlery, this study observed consumer behavior to test the effectiveness of the newly identified patterns. Pattern testing was designed to determine if price is the key-purchasing driver, or if in spite of the increase of low-income households that must place a heavier importance on price and convenience, sustainable consumer behavior could prevail. Through analysis of existing research and analogous studies, and the execution and examination of new research, these patterns were identified. Direct, simple, and convenient point-of-decision design solutions were selected as successful behavior modifiers during the testing phase, which allowed sustainable consumer behavior change to occur regardless of the user’s economic situation. While the results were specific to the testing conducted in this project, it is concluded that such pattern application and design solutions could have the potential to achieve similar results to nurture and alter sustainable consumer behavior.