Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Potting Mix with Biochar

Thomas, McKenzie; Jensen, Kimberly L.; Lambert, Dayton M.; English, Burton C.; Clark, Christopher D.; Walker, Forbes R.

doi:10.3390/en14123432

Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Potting Mix with Biochar

Journal Article · Thu Jun 10 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Energies

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/en14123432· OSTI ID:1843768

Thomas, McKenzie ^[1]; Jensen, Kimberly L. ^[2]; Lambert, Dayton M. ^[3]; ^[2]; Clark, Christopher D. ^[2]; ^[2]

Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); University of Tennessee
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK (United States)

Biochar is a co-product of advanced biofuels production from feedstocks including food, agricultural, wood wastes, or dedicated energy crops. Markets for soil amendments using biochar are emerging, but little is known about consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for these products or the depth of the products’ market potential for this product. This research provides WTP estimates for potting mix amended with 25% biochar, conditioned on consumer demographics and attitudes about product information labeling. Data were collected with an online survey of 577 Tennessee home gardeners. WTP was elicited through a referendum contingent valuation. Consumer WTP for an 8.81 L bag of 25% biochar potting mix is $8.52; a premium of $3.53 over conventional potting mix. Demographics and attitudes toward biofuels and the environment influence WTP. Biochar amounts demanded are projected for the study area’s potential market. Optimal prices, profits, and market shares are estimated across different marginal costs of producing biochar potting mix.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office; US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); USDA

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0006639

OSTI ID:: 1843768

Journal Information:: Energies, Journal Name: Energies Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 14; ISSN 1996-1073

Publisher:: MDPICopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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09 BIOMASS FUELS
biochar
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feedstock
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Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Potting Mix with Biochar

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