User Preferences of Plastic, Wooden, and Bamboo Forks: A Comparative Survey Analysis

Abstract

Disposable forks are used as eating aids and discarded in large quantities especially in the urban and semi-urban areas in Sri Lanka. It is necessary to find sustainable alternative resources as raw materials for making forks and those alternatives should be accepted by the end users. The aim of this research was to establish the preference of consumers among plastic, wooden, and bamboo forks through a structured survey based on main factors: the frequency of use, taste, tactile comfort, environmental impact, and purchase intention. A sample of 200 subjects drawn from different age categories of young people was surveyed using a questionnaire for qualitative and quantitative responses. Participants rated each material based on comfort of use, effect on the environment after usage, fork curviness, fork smell, and cost. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to find significant differences in the preference for the materials. Plastic forks were found to be the most frequently used and rated very high on the comfort factor among participants (p<0.05) and were also considered fairly inexpensive, with 75% willing to pay up to Rs.2.00-12.00. On the other hand, bamboo and wooden forks scored significantly high on environmental friendliness compared with plastic (p<0.05). There has been little variation in taste perception among participants, while significant differences were observed in comfort and design preferences, particularly among young groups who rated these factors higher (p<0.05). The findings suggested that, while plastic forks are much cheaper and comfortable, urban users have a growing preference for bamboo and wood-based products, mainly due to environmental issues. The survey underlines that alternatives to forks should be provided in such a way as not to reduce the level of comfort for and affordability by users. In this respect, bamboo appears to be the best option for those who stress the problems of environmental effects, although plastic remains more convenient and cheaper.

Keywords: Bamboo, Fork, Plastic, Wood