Examining Environmentally Conscious Consumption Habits: Preferences for Wet Wipes and Influencing Factors

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63556/tisej.2025.1559

Keywords:

Egoistic motivations, altruistic motivations, sustainable consumption, environmentally friendly consumption, wet wipes consumption

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effects of altruistic and egoistic motivations on the relationship between consumers' wet wipes usage frequency and habits and the way they dispose of these products. The research was conducted in Türkiye within the framework of a descriptive research design and the data obtained from respondents were analyzed by the PLS-SEM method. The findings reveal that egoistic motivations have a statistically significant and positive effect on consumption habits, while altruistic motivations have little to no effect on both consumption habits and discarding behaviour. Perceived cost and incentive mechanisms also showed minimal direct effects on discarding behaviour, suggesting limited practical impact. Incentives were found to have a very small or negligible effect on wipe discarding behaviour, suggesting that their practical impact is limited. The results indicate the importance of encouraging practices that contribute to environmental sustainability. In addition, raising individual awareness and social responsibility is necessary to develop environmentally sensitive consumption behaviours. This study aims to contribute to the related literature at the theoretical and empirical level by examining the role of egoistic values in environmentally friendly consumption practices. The findings highlight which motivational factors are more influential and provide practical guidance for promoting sustainable consumption. For marketing professionals, these results suggest that eco-friendly products should be positioned by emphasizing personal benefits and convenience, thereby leveraging egoistic motivations to foster more sustainable consumer behaviours.

Author Biography

İlknur AYAR, Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi Meslek Yüksekokulu Büro Yönetimi ve Yönetici Asistanlığı

İlknur AYAR, lisans öğrenimini 2004–2008 yılları arasında Gazi Üniversitesi Ticaret ve Turizm Eğitim Fakültesi Büro Yönetimi Öğretmenliği bölümünde tamamlamıştır. Ardından, 2008 yılında Gazi Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü Büro Yönetimi Eğitimi Anabilim Dalı’nda başladığı tezli yüksek lisans programını 2010 yılında başarıyla tamamlamıştır. Yüksek lisans tez çalışmasında, “Yükseköğretim Kurumlarında Akademik Değerlendirme ve Kalite Geliştirme Modeli ile EFQM Mükemmellik Modelinin Karşılaştırmalı Bir Analizi” başlıklı çalışmasını Prof. Dr. Mehmet Arslan danışmanlığında yürütmüştür.

Doktora eğitimine 2015 yılında Karabük Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü İşletme Anabilim Dalı’nda başlamış ve 2019 yılında tamamlamıştır. Doktora tezini “Tüketicilerin Sürdürülebilir Tüketim Niyetinin Planlı Davranış Teorisi Kapsamında Belirlenmesi” başlığıyla hazırlamış ve bu çalışmasını Prof. Dr. Ahmet Gürbüz danışmanlığında gerçekleştirmiştir. Akademik kariyerine 2010 yılında Hitit Üniversitesi Osmancık Ömer Derindere Meslek Yüksekokulu’nda Öğretim Görevlisi olarak başlamış; burada 2010–2014 yılları arasında Büro Hizmetleri ve Sekreterlik Bölümü bünyesinde görev almıştır. 2014–2022 yılları arasında ise Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi Meslek Yüksekokulu’nda Öğretim Görevlisi olarak çalışmış, Büro Hizmetleri ve Sekreterlik Bölümü / Büro Yönetimi ve Yönetici Asistanlığı Programı’nda görev yapmıştır. 2022 yılından itibaren aynı bölümde Dr. Öğr. Üyesi olarak görev yapmaktadır. 

Akademik kariyeri boyunca tüketici davranışları, sürdürülebilirlik, planlı davranış teorisi, kalite yönetimi gibi alanlarda çalışmalar yapmış; lisans, yüksek lisans ve doktora düzeyinde disiplinlerarası birikim kazanmıştır. 

References

Aggarwal, S., Dhanda, K., Kumar, R., & Arora, U. (2024). Unpacking green choices: Exploring altruistic and egoistic values in shaping environmental identities and packaging preferences. Asian Journal of Business Ethics, 13, 523-546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13520-024-00221-9

Ahn, I., Kim, S. H., & Kim, M. (2020). The relative importance of values, social norms, and enjoyment-based motivation in explaining pro-environmental product purchasing behaviour in apparel domain. Sustainability, 12(17), 6797. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176797

Alam, M. N., Ogiemwonyi, O., Alshareef, R., Alsolamy, M., Mat, N., & Azizan, N. A. (2023). Do social media influence altruistic and egoistic motivation and green purchase intention towards green products? An experimental investigation. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 15, 100669. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2023.100669

Bakır, Y. & Arslan, B. (2023). Özgeci Değerin Yeşil Satın Alma Davranışına Etkisinde Yeşil Satın Alma Niyetinin Aracılık Rolü. Journal of Social, Humanities and Administrative Sciences, 9(66):3220-3234. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/JOSHAS.71029

Batson, C. D. (2018). A Scientific Search for Altruism: Do we Only Care About Ourselves? New York: Oxford University Press.

Beaton, D. E., Bombardier, C., Guillemin, F., & Ferraz, M. B. (2000). Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Spine, 25(24), 3186–3191. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007632-200012150-00014

Behaviour Change. (n.d.). Reducing sewer blockages. https://behaviourchange.org.uk/case-studies/reducing-sewer-blockages

Brodback, D., Guenster, N., & Mezger, D. (2019). Altruism and egoism in investment decisions. Review of Financial Economics, 37(1), 118-148. https://doi.org/10.1002/rfe.1053

Çayırağası, F. (2022). Özgeci değerin sürdürülebilir tüketici tutum ve davranışlarına etkisi. İnsan Ve Toplum Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi, 11(3), 1474-1492. https://doi.org/10.15869/itobiad.1114902

Cecere, G., Mancinelli, S., & Mazzanti, M. (2014). Waste prevention and social preferences: The role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Ecological Economics, 107, 163-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2014.07.007

Chen, K., Huang, T., Zhang, Y., & Zhu, Z. (2021). A study on the use of disposable products in hotels based on low carbon consumption. In E3S web of conferences (Vol. 275, p. 02015). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202127502015

Chou, K. L. (1996). The Rushton, Chrisjohn and Fekken Self-Report Altruism Scale: A Chinese translation. Personality and Individual Differences, 21(2), 297–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(96)00040-2

Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioural sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

De Dominicis, S., Schultz, P., & Bonaiuto, M. (2017). Protecting the Environment for Self-interested Reasons: Altruism Is Not the Only Pathway to Sustainability. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01065.

De Groot, J. I., & Steg, L. (2008). Value orientations to explain beliefs related to environmental significant behaviour: How to measure egoistic, altruistic, and biospheric value orientations. Environment and behaviour, 40(3), 330-354. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916506297831

De Groot, J. I., & Steg, L. (2009). Mean or green: which values can promote stable pro‐environmental behaviour?. Conservation Letters, 2(2), 61-66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2009.00048.x

Dinu, L., Iordache, O., & Vamanu, E. (2022). Scanning electron microscopy study on the biodeterioration of natural fiber materials compared to disposable hygiene and sanitary products. Fermentation, 8(6), 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation8060287

Doğan, D. (2019). SmartPLS ile Veri Analizi. Ankara, Zet Yayınları.

Du, L., Ling, Q., & Feng, Y. (2014). Influences of altruistic motivation, shared vision, and perceived accessibility on microcharity behaviour. Social Behaviour and Personality an International Journal, 42(10), 1639-1650. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2014.42.10.1639

Ehretsmann, C., Schaefer, P., & Adam, R. (2001). Cutaneous tolerance of baby wipes by infants with atopic dermatitis, and comparison of the mildness of baby wipe and water in infant skin. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 15 Suppl 1, 16–21. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0926-9959.2001.00004.x

Ewijk, S., & Stegemann, J. (2016). Limitations of the waste hierarchy for achieving absolute reductions in material throughput. Journal of Cleaner Production, 132, 122-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2014.11.051.

Ewing, G. (2001). Altruistic, Egoistic, and Normative Effects on Curbside Recycling. Environment and Behaviour, 33, 733 - 764. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139160121973223.

Feng, L., & Guo, Q. (2017). Beneficial effect of altruism on well-being among Chinese college students: the role of self-esteem and family socioeconomic status. Journal of Social Service Research, 43(3), 416-431. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2016.1242449

Gadekar, M., & Brandão, A. (2025). Consumers' perceptions of proximity to plastic pollution and support for environmentally friendly retail brands: An emerging market perspective. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 83, 104126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2024.104126

Gam, H. J., Yu, U. J., & Yang, S. (2020). The effects of health consciousness on environmentally sustainable textile furnishing product purchase. Family and consumer sciences research journal, 49(1), 84-100. https://doi.org/10.1111/fcsr.12376

Gwozdz, W., Nielsen, K., & Müller, T. (2017). An environmental perspective on clothing consumption: consumer segments and their behavioural patterns. Sustainability, 9(5), 762. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050762

Hadley, T., Hickey, K., Lix, K., Sharma, S., Berretta, T., & Navessin, T. (2023). Flushed but not forgotten: the rising costs and opportunities of disposable wet wipes. Bioresources, 18(1). https:// doi.org/10.15376/biores.18.1.hadley

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (2nd ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.

Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European business review, 31(1), 2-24.

Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2011). PLS-SEM: Indeed a silver bullet. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 19(2), 139–151. https://doi.org/10.2753/MTP1069-6679190202

Harter, T., Bernt, I., Winkler, S., & Hirn, U. (2021). Reduced dispersibility of flushable wet wipes after wet storage. Scientific Reports, 11(7942), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94248-8

Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2016). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1), 115-135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8

Hu, T., Shen, M., & Tang, W. (2021). Wet wipes and disposable surgical masks are becoming new sources of fiber microplastic pollution during global covid-19. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(1), 284-292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17408-3

Hussain, W., Halim, L., Chan, M., & Rahman, N. (2021). Predicting energy-saving behaviour based on environmental values: an analysis of school children’s perspectives. Sustainability, 13(14), 7644. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147644

Indiani, N. L. P., Keshminder, J. S., Wiratama, N. I., & Amertha, G. S. (2025). Unlocking e-commerce potential in SMEs: An integrative framework for adoption in emerging markets. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04952-3

Joksimovic, D., Khan, A., & Orr, B. (2020). Inappropriate disposal of ‘flushable’ consumer products – reasons for concern. Water Science & Technology, 81(1), 102-108. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2020.087

Kesenheimer, J. S., & Greitemeyer, T. (2021). Going Green (and Not Being Just More Pro-Social): Do Attitude and Personality Specifically Influence Pro-Environmental Behaviour? Sustainability, 13(6), 3560. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063560

Kim, S. Y., Yeo, J., Sohn, S. H., Rha, J. Y., Choi, S., Choi, A. Y., & Shin, S. (2012). Toward a composite measure of green consumption: an exploratory study using a Korean sample. Journal of family and economic issues, 33, 199-214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-9318-z

Kıral Uçar, G. (2020). Değer yönelimleri ve çevre yanlısı davranışlar. Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 21(39), 801-822. https://doi.org/10.21550/sosbilder.654035

Knez, I. (2016). Is Climate Change a Moral Issue? Effects of Egoism and Altruism on Pro-Environmental Behaviour. Current Urban Studies, 04, 157-174. https://doi.org/10.4236/CUS.2016.42012.

Köklü, R., Ates, A., Deveci, E., & Sivri, N. (2022). Generic foresight model in changing hygiene habits with the pandemic: use of wet wipes in next generations. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 25(1), 74-85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-022-01515-5

Kumar, A., & Pandey, M. (2023). Social Media and Impact of Altruistic Motivation, Egoistic Motivation, Subjective Norms, and EWOM toward Green Consumption Behaviour: An Empirical Investigation. Sustainability, 15(5), 4222. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054222

Lam, L. W. (2012). Impact of competitiveness on salespeople's commitment and performance. Journal of Business Research, 65(9), 1328-1334.

Lee, J., Jeong, S., & Chae, K. J. (2021). Discharge of microplastics fibres from wet wipes in aquatic and solid environments under different release conditions. Science of the Total Environment, 784, 147144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147144

Li, G., Yang, L., Zhang, B., Li, X., & Chen, F. (2021). How do en-vironmental values impact green product purchase intention?The moderating role of green trust. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(33), 46,020–46,034. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13946-y

Marza, A. R., Bangsawan, S., & Mahrinasari, M. S. (2022). The effect of altruistic value and egoistic value on attitude and purchase intention green cosmetics in Indonesia. The International Journal of Business & Management, 10(7). https://doi.org/10.24940/theijbm/2022/v10/i7/bm2207-011

Mihalache, O. A., Borda, D., Neagu, C., Teixeira, P., Langsrud, S., & Nicolau, A. I. (2021). Efficacy of Removing Bacteria and Organic Dirt from Hands—A Study Based on Bioluminescence Measurements for Evaluation of Hand Hygiene When Cooking. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8828. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168828

Mitchell, R., Thamsen, P., Gunkel, M., & Waschnewski, J. (2017). Investigations into wastewater composition focusing on nonwoven wet wipes. Technical Transactions, 2017, 125-135. https://doi.org/10.4467/2353737XCT.17.010.6107

Morris, M., Kontar, W., & Hicks, A. (2024). Use, reuse, and waste management of single-use products associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 20(5), 1736-1746. https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4895

Muñoz, L., Baez, A., McKinney, D., & Garelick, H. (2018). Characterisation of “flushable” and “non-flushable” commercial wet wipes using microraman, FTIR spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy: To flush or not to flush. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(20), 20268–20279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2400-9

Nehrenheim, E. (2013). Waste Management : Introduction. In Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.09166-1

Nguyen, H., Ta, V., Hong, V., Nguyen, P., & Thanh, L. (2025). Afterlife karmic beliefs and pro‐environmental consumption behaviours of egoistic consumers. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/ajsp.70006

Osunmuyiwa, O. O., Payne, S. R., Ilavarasan, P. V., Peacock, A. D., & Jenkins, D. P. (2020). I cannot live without air conditioning! The role of identity, values and situational factors on cooling consumption patterns in India. Energy Research & Social Science, 69, 101634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101634

Özdamar, K. (2016). Eğitim, sağlık ve davranış bilimlerinde ölçek ve test geliştirme yapısal eşitlik modellemesi. Nisan Kitabevi

Pantoja Munoz, L., Gonzalez Baez, A., McKinney, D., & Pantoja, A. (2018). Characterisation of “flushable” and “non-flushable” commercial wet wipes using microRaman, FTIR spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy: To flush or not to flush. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(20), 20268–20279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2400-9

Pop, R., Săplăcan, Z., & Alt, M. (2020). Social media goes green—the impact of social media on green cosmetics purchase motivation and intention. Information, 11(9), 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/info11090447

Prakash, G., Choudhary, S., Kumar, A., Garza-Reyes, J. A., Khan, S. A. R., & Panda, T. K. (2019). Do altruistic and egoistic values influence consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions towards eco-friendly packaged products? An empirical investigation. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 50, 163-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.05.011

Rahman, A., Sarkar, A., Yadav, O. P., Achari, G., & Slobodnik, J. (2021). Potential human health risks due to environmental exposure to nano-and microplastics and knowledge gaps: a scoping review. Science of the Total Environment, 757, 143872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143872

Raifman, S., DeVost, M. A., Digitale, J. C., Chen, Y. H., & Morris, M. D. (2022). Respondent-driven sampling: a sampling method for hard-to-reach populations and beyond. Current Epidemiology Reports, 9(1), 38-47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-022-00287-8

Rodriguez, K. J., Cunningham, C., Foxenberg, R., Hoffman, D., & Vongsa, R. (2020). The science behind wet wipes for infant skin: Ingredient review, safety, and efficacy. Pediatric dermatology, 37(3), 447–454. https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.14112

Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill building approach (7th ed.). Wiley.

Soyer, M., & Dittrich, K. (2021). Sustainable consumer behaviour in purchasing, using and disposing of clothes. Sustainability, 13(15), 8333. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158333

Squalli, J. (2025). Environmental altruism, egoism, or hypocrisy? Environmental awareness, emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions. Sustainable Futures, 9, 100517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100517

Steg, L., & Vlek, C. (2009). Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: An integrative review and research agenda. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29(3), 309–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.10.004

Steg, L., Dreijerink, L., & Abrahamse, W. (2005). Factors influencing the acceptability of energy policies: A test of VBN theory. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25(4), 415–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2005.08.003

Steg, L., Perlaviciute, G., van der Werff, E., & Lurvink, J. (2012). The Significance of Hedonic Values for Environmentally Relevant Attitudes, Preferences, and Actions. Environment and Behaviour, 46(2), 163-192. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916512454730

Stern, P. C., & Dietz, T. (1994). The value basis of environmental concern. Journal of social issues, 50(3), 65-84.

Sun, Y., & Zhang, J. (2019). Acquiescence or Resistance: Group Norms and Self-Interest Motivation in Unethical Consumer Behaviour. Sustainability, 11(8), 2190. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082190

Tamar, M., Wirawan, H., Arfah, T. & Putri, R.P.S. (2021). Predicting pro-environmental behaviours: the role of environmental values, attitudes and knowledge. Management of Environmental Quality, 32 (2), 328-343. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-12-2019-0264

Turaga, R. M. R., Howarth, R. B., & Borsuk, M. E. (2010). Pro‐environmental behaviour: Rational choice meets moral motivation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1185(1), 211-224. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05163.x

Zhang, Y., Wen, Z., Hu, Y., & Zhang, T. (2022). Waste flow of wet wipes and decision-making mechanism for consumers’ discarding behaviours. Journal of Cleaner Production, 364, 132684. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132684

Zhang, Y., Wen, Z., Lin, W., Hu, Y., Kosajan, V., & Zhang, T. (2021). Life-cycle environmental impact assessment and plastic pollution prevention measures of wet wipes. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 174, 105803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105803

Downloads

Published

20.12.2025

How to Cite

AYAR, İlknur. (2025). Examining Environmentally Conscious Consumption Habits: Preferences for Wet Wipes and Influencing Factors. Third Sector Social Economic Review, 60(4), 3514–3536. https://doi.org/10.63556/tisej.2025.1559

Issue

Section

Research Article

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.