Intrinsic motivation for reducing single-use plastics: The compensation effects of basic psychological needs

Increasing single-use plastic consumption has caused tremendous consequences for the ecosystem; therefore, consumers are being encouraged to reduce this. Despite numerous research about single-use plastics, we still have little understanding into how individuals’ intrinsic motivation for less single-use plastics can be developed. This study extends the self-determination theory about human motivation and the functioning of basic psychological needs which are essential for behavior change to study how three basic psychological needs can influence intrinsic motivation for reducing single-use plastics. Also, the negative interaction effects of each pair of basic psychological needs on intrinsic motivation were examined in this study. A sample of 468 responses collected in a stated preference survey was used to test the theoretical framework. Findings reveal that intrinsic motivation for reducing single-use plastics can be influenced by the satisfaction of basic psychological needs. Interestingly, the research has extended the self-determination theory by highlighting compensation effects among the fulfillment of basic psychological needs on intrinsic motivation for reducing single-use plastics.