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An Investigation of Cosumer Attitudes Towards New Varieties of Shopping Bags: Exploring Eco-Awareness and the Possibility of Behavior Change

Author

Listed:
  • Ishrat Jahan Synthia
  • Shafquat Kabir

    (North South University, Bangladesh)

Abstract

The adverse impact of plastic bags on the environment has received significant worldwide attention. Bangladesh was the first country to ban plastic bags in 2002 from its capital city, Dhaka to reduce environmental damage. This paper investigates the consequences of the ban and the subsequent emergence of several new varieties of shopping bags in Dhaka city. Attitude towards the new varieties of shopping bags were determined through qualitative methods like in-depth interviews and field studies. Finally, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 288 female heads of households. Results indicate that 98% of respondents mistakenly believe these new bags to be eco-friendly or biodegradable. The level of awareness did not vary by demographic characteristics like age, income or occupation, suggesting that this is a common phenomenon across different segments of the society. A correlation was found between an awareness of the issues and the willingness to bring about behavioral changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Ishrat Jahan Synthia & Shafquat Kabir, 2015. "An Investigation of Cosumer Attitudes Towards New Varieties of Shopping Bags: Exploring Eco-Awareness and the Possibility of Behavior Change," Journal of Developing Areas, Tennessee State University, College of Business, vol. 49(5), pages 183-196, Special I.
    • Handle: RePEc:jda:journl:vol.49:year:2015:issue5:pp:183-196
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    File URL: http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/journal_of_developing_areas/v049/49.5.synthia.html
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Van Asselt, Joanna & Nian, Yefan & Soh, Moonwon & Gao, Zhifeng & Morgan, Stephen N, 2020. "Do Plastic Warning Labels Reduce Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Plastic Packaging?," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304503, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    2. Lea Marie Heidbreder & Julia Steinhorst & Manfred Schmitt, 2020. "Plastic-Free July: An Experimental Study of Limiting and Promoting Factors in Encouraging a Reduction of Single-Use Plastic Consumption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-23, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    polythene bags; eco-friendly bags; awareness; behavior change; Dhaka;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • P46 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training; Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty
    • M30 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - General
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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