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Subject: search.filters.subject.Environmental sustainability

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    Effects of intrinsic and extrinsic product characteristics related to protein source, health and environmental sustainability, on product choice and sensory evaluation of meatballs and plant-based alternatives
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2024-04) Giezenaar C; Godfrey AJR; Foster M; Hort J
    Health is cited as a major driver for substituting meat with plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs). In contrast, many consumers are reportedly unaware of the difference in environmental impact between meat and PBMAs. This study determined relative effects of internal (protein source) and external (health/origin/sustainability) product attributes on product choice and (expected) liking of meat and PBMAs. Participants (n = 144) ranked ten sets of three product concepts from best to worst in a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Random combinations of four product attributes were presented on hypothetical product packages: i) protein source (beef/chickpea/soy protein); ii) health-star rating (1.5/4.5 stars); iii) ingredient origin (local/imported); iv) sustainability rating (green tick absent/present), and product worth, related to each of the 24 possible attribute combinations, was determined. Secondly, commercially-available beef, soy, and chickpea products were sensorially evaluated for expected/actual liking, both blindly and alongside combinations of internal/external product attributes used in the DCE. The DCE indicated all product attributes affected product worth. However, two consumer segments were established: i) a ‘Protein Cluster’ (47%) comprising consumers who chose ‘beef’ products regardless of the remaining attributes present, and ii) a ‘Health/Sustainability Cluster’ (53%) of consumers whose choices were driven by positive health/sustainability claims. Protein source drove both expected and actual liking of the samples (p < 0.001). Health/origin/sustainability also contributed to expected liking (p < 0.05), but only health consistently affected actual liking ratings (p < 0.05). In conclusion, half of consumers chose products based on health/origin/sustainability claims, whereas the other half selected products based on protein source. Origin/sustainability claims affected product choice, but minimally affected product experience of plant-based samples.
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    Gender roles in environmental household waste management : a case study in Palmerston North, New Zealand : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in the Institute of Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Tiwari, Narayani
    This research examines the roles of gender in environmental household waste management in New Zealand. Gender activities play an important role in environmental household waste management as shown by the Household Survey 2000. The survey result confirmed that a clear understanding of the perceptions of both men and women is required in managing the sustainable environmental household waste management. Educational level, occupational status, and demographic characteristics are key factors in determining household waste management strategies in order to maintain a sustainable environment in New Zealand. This study was carried out in Palmerston North. The objectives were to: Explore the relationship between gender; household waste management and environmental sustainability to identify whether there are gender differences in environmental management practices. In addition this study examines household waste management practices in Palmerston North and to investigate ways of improving household waste management practices in New Zealand. Data analysis was based on 266 households by survey questionnaires. Results showed that household waste management practices are influenced by the demographic factors age, gender, education occupation and income level. The results also show that women, rather than men, handle household waste. Female participation was mostly involved in recycling, composting and landfill activities. The final research results show that: Women's participation was found to be higher than that of men in managing household waste. Demographic characteristics appear to have a direct relation to gender and household waste management. There is a positive relationship between socio-economic status (education, occupation and socio-economic class) and household waste management. Based on the research results, different types of policy implications, suggestions and recommendations are addressed to improve environmental household waste management in Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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    Sustainable business : the New Zealand plastics sector : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2003) Cox, Carolyn Margaret
    The usual approach to problem-solving is to identify and remove the cause of the problem. Sometimes this is not possible because the cause cannot be found; because there are too many causes; or because the cause is human and cannot be removed. In such cases we are usually paralysed. Most of the major problems in the world will not be solved by more analysis. There is a need for design. There is a need to design a way forward – leaving the cause in place (De Bono, 1999, p. 140) To make progress towards sustainable development sustainability must be translated into action. For the New Zealand plastics sector this will require significant change to existing business strategies, practices, procedures and products. These changes will need to be supported by government policies and consumers. Society makes decisions in a complex and integrated way. This complexity is very apparent within the New Zealand plastics sector with its vast range of polymers, products, and markets, and its often conflicting consumer demands and expectations. The central issues the industry must address in working towards sustainable development are the use of non-renewable petrochemical resources, the use of toxic or hazardous chemicals and additives and the creation of solid waste and litter. Existing sustainable business models tend to focus on problem solving at specific levels of business operation. There is a need to provide a more cohesive message to the business community. Integrating sustainable development with all three levels of business strategy at corporate, business unit and operational levels, with the full commitment of business owners and shareholders is required. To engage a higher proportion of the industry in such changes strong leadership and market support is required, alongside the provision of simple and effective ideas, tools and resources to improve the capability of industry to operate in a sustainable manner. To reach a state of sustainable business a tipping point must be established – where environmentally sustainable business practices become standard business practice and environmental excellence is rewarded with market success. To move away from an image of unsustainable practices the New Zealand plastics sector will need to exceed expectations, to create products that are not just sustainable, but that improve the quality of our environment. The New Zealand Plastics Sustainability Initiative and Best Practice Programme have been developed by the New Zealand plastics industry, as a result of this research, to create an environment where the ideas, tools and capabilities required to achieve this state are able to be inspired, developed and reinforced.
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    Energy in New Zealand apple production : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Doctor of Philosophy in Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2010) Frater, Thomas Gregory
    Agriculture is the largest contributor to the New Zealand economy, and apple (Malus sp.) production is a significant component of that. Apples are exported from New Zealand to global markets, including Asia, the UK, Europe and North America. New Zealand prides itself on a ‘clean green’ image, and its agricultural industry, while already recognized as highly efficient, has sought to move towards sustainability. To further understand the sustainability of its production systems, the New Zealand apple industry sponsored a study to measure energy inputs into those systems. Global food supply chains impinge on a broad range of issues, and have attracted academic commentary from a range of academic disciplines, ranging from the sciences and social sciences to the humanities. This inter-disciplinary study was structured as a scientific investigation of energy inputs into New Zealand farm level and post-harvest apple production (to destination port), with a parallel examination of the research process from a philosophical and systemic frame of reference. The author examined boundary judgments and presuppositions, drawing from the philosophical concept of tacit knowledge. The research process was structured so that outputs might contribute to further studies following the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework. Aspects of LCA methodology were therefore examined, particularly the construction of sustainability indicators. The most significant contributions to the New Zealand apple production supply chain were found to be shipping (4.24 MJ kg-1), packaging (1.46 MJ kg-1), followed by farm processes (1.45 MJ kg-1) and post harvest processes (0.51 MJ kg-1). The total system inputs were 7.7 MJ kg-1. The philosophical and systemic inquiry found that LCA methodology should take further account of normativistic elements to sustain the claim of being an holistic or systemic methodology. The meaning of sustainability indicators was found to be materially affected by tacit knowledge imbedded in apparently value-free metrics, and further affected by tacit assumptions imbedded in the LCA methodology itself. An approach (total life cycle intervention) was proposed, incorporating aspects of soft-systems thinking, taking account of critical system heuristics (CSH), and systemic intervention approaches.