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Consumer Motivation and Environmental Impact of Laundry Machine-Sharing: Analysis of Surveys in Tokyo and Bangkok

Author

Listed:
  • Dami Moon

    (Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Eri Amasawa

    (Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Masahiko Hirao

    (Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

Abstract

A sharing economy is an alternative system that enables pro-environmental behavior by improving efficiency through product-sharing. However, some motivations and requirements for doing laundry can increase the environmental burden, which suggests that the laundry machine (LM) sharing is not necessarily sustainable. This study clarifies consumer motivations for laundry usage and assesses the feasibility of environmentally sustainable laundry behavior through LM-sharing. Consumer surveys were conducted in Tokyo and Bangkok with different LM-ownership proportions. Single-person households were targeted, reflecting Tokyo’s demographic situation. A scenario analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of routine laundry behavior changes on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Three main results emerged. First, Tokyo respondents used a coin-operated laundry machine (CL) for convenience, which private washers cannot provide, while Bangkok respondents used it for basic laundry needs. Consequentially, the Tokyo respondents, who used CLs, were responsible for more than three times the GHG emissions of Bangkok respondents. Second, the group using both private LM and CL was the least GHG-efficient group, regardless of region. Third, laundry behavior can reduce GHG emissions if consumer requirements are decreased. The results show that there is environmental significance in adopting LM-sharing for sustainable consumption and production systems that reflect regional characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Dami Moon & Eri Amasawa & Masahiko Hirao, 2020. "Consumer Motivation and Environmental Impact of Laundry Machine-Sharing: Analysis of Surveys in Tokyo and Bangkok," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9756-:d:449513
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dami Moon & Eri Amasawa & Masahiko Hirao, 2019. "Laundry Habits in Bangkok: Use Patterns of Products and Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Lin, Jiang & Iyer, Maithili, 2007. "Cold or hot wash: Technological choices, cultural change, and their impact on clothes-washing energy use in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 3046-3052, May.
    3. Arnold Tukker, 2004. "Eight types of product–service system: eight ways to sustainability? Experiences from SusProNet," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(4), pages 246-260, July.
    4. Eva Heiskanen & Mikko Jalas, 2003. "Can services lead to radical eco‐efficiency improvements? – a review of the debate and evidence," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(4), pages 186-198, December.
    5. Wilhite, Harold & Nakagami, Hidetoshi & Masuda, Takashi & Yamaga, Yukiko & Haneda, Hiroshi, 1996. "A cross-cultural analysis of household energy use behaviour in Japan and Norway," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 24(9), pages 795-803, September.
    6. Eri Amasawa & Yurie Suzuki & Dami Moon & Jun Nakatani & Hirokazu Sugiyama & Masahiko Hirao, 2018. "Designing Interventions for Behavioral Shifts toward Product Sharing: The Case of Laundry Activities in Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-20, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Koide, R. & Murakami, S. & Nansai, K., 2022. "Prioritising low-risk and high-potential circular economy strategies for decarbonisation: A meta-analysis on consumer-oriented product-service systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).

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