Actualidad

Abstract:
Amidst growing environmental concerns, policies targeting single-use plastic reduction, particularly plastic bottled water, have gained momentum. This paper assesses the unintended health consequences of a law banning plastic bottled water sales from vending machines in a public institution. This study uses a diff-in-diff strategy and data from two Spanish universities, contributing to the limited literature on the impacts of plastic-free policies on consumption behavior changes. Our study reveals an increase in Sugary Sweetened Beverage (SSB) consumption post-ban, emphasizing the need for nuanced plastic reduction policies, including the consideration of potential health trade-offs.