Perception of People about ban of plastic bags in India

9/1/2016

Perception of people about ban on plastic bags

GROUP 7

Akshatha Neeraje

Anand Gupta

Jayasuryaa H

Miral Shah

Syed Mujtaba

Nancy Negi

Naren Shetty

Varun Shivani

Table of Contents

Sr

No.

Topic Page

Number

1 Abstract 2

2 Introduction 3

3 Background of the Study 4

4 Review of Literature 5

5 Problem Statement 16

6 Scope and Objectives of Study 16

7 Research Methodology 17

8 Research Design 18

9 Sampling Size & Methods 19

10 Data Collection Method 19

11 Data Analysis 20

12 Results & Discussions 23

13 Conclusions 30

14 Limitations of the Study 32

15 Managerial Implications 34

16 References 36

2

Abstract

The usage of plastic bag causes both convenience and inconvenience in our daily lives. It is one

of those moral hazards we live with on a daily basis. It not only causes environmental hazards as

most plastic bags are not bio-degradable but also creates hygiene and wastage issues as plastic

bags can be seen littered all across your habitat. Usage of plastic bag for carrying hot edible

items not only causes such inconveniences but it may also cause health hazards for the

consumers. Plastic bag is commonly used to pack hot edible items in hawker stalls, food courts,

etc. It is also predominantly used for carrying groceries, for storage, as protective cover for your

garbage bins and as package for everyday items. The danger arises when wrong type of plastic is

being used as chemical migration between plastic and food can be maximized by temperature

and content as there is direct contact between the hot edible items and the plastic itself. But the

major issue at hand is the disposal of plastic bags or in other words the complete lack of a plastic

disposal system. But times are changing and consumers are aware of the hazards plastic poses.

Not only have they reduced the usage of plastic bags over a period of time, they are ready to pay

and prefer brands which are socially responsible. According to theory of green marketing,

stakeholders, importantly, the consumer play a pivotal role in the environmental and health

consciousness. Businesses will have to align with consumer’s opinion on green issue so that their

business will not be affected. But from a broader perspective of health, the government had to act

and they rightly banned the use of plastic bags with some exemptions as the first step of a

broader vision to eliminate the use of plastic in our day to day life on March 14, 2016. But then

was it the way to go about it, was the general public willing and ready to come out of their

comfort zones? Could we have reduced the usage of plastic through better methods like

penalizing the usage, incentivizing the alternatives like paper bags and cloth bags?. India is a

heterogeneous country with varied consumers and extremely diverse behavior patterns. This

study aims at understanding the perception of people on the ban of plastics and the

corresponding changes in various attributes and usage associated with it.

3

Chapter 1

Introduction

4

Background of the study

The usage of plastic bag causes both convenience and inconvenience in our daily lives. It is one

of those moral hazards we live with on a daily basis. It not only causes environmental hazards as

most plastic bags are not bio-degradable but also creates hygiene and wastage issues as plastic

bags can be seen littered all across your habitat. Usage of plastic bag for carrying hot edible

items not only causes such inconveniences but it may also cause health hazards for the

consumers. Plastic bag is commonly used to pack hot edible items in hawker stalls, food courts,

etc. It is also predominantly used for carrying groceries, for storage, as protective cover for your

garbage bins and as package for everyday items. The danger arises when wrong type of plastic is

being used as chemical migration between plastic and food can be maximized by temperature

and content as there is direct contact between the hot edible items and the plastic itself. But the

major issue at hand is the disposal of plastic bags or in other words the complete lack of a plastic

disposal system. But times are changing and consumers are aware of the hazards plastic poses.

Not only have they reduced the usage of plastic bags over a period of time, they are ready to pay

and prefer brands which are socially responsible. According to theory of green marketing,

stakeholders, importantly, the consumer play a pivotal role in the environmental and health

consciousness. Businesses will have to align with consumer’s opinion on green issue so that their

business will not be affected. But from a broader perspective of health, the government had to act

and they rightly banned the use of plastic bags with some exemptions as the first step of a

broader vision to eliminate the use of plastic in our day to day life on March 14, 2016. But then

was it the way to go about it, was the general public willing and ready to come out of their

comfort zones?, Could we have reduced the usage of plastic through better methods like

penalizing the usage, incentivizing the alternatives like paper bags and cloth bags?. India is a

heterogeneous country with varied consumers and extremely diverse behavior patterns. This

study aims at understanding the perception of people on the ban of plastics and the

corresponding changes in various attributes and usage associated with it.

5

Review of Literature

1. Jennifer Clapp & Linda Swanston (2009) Doing away with plastic shopping bags:

international patterns of norm emergence and policy implementation, Environmental

Politics, 18:3, 315-332, DOI: 10.1080/09644010902823717

Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09644010902823717

Jennifer and Linda’s paper explores how plastic came about as a key material for usage

and how the plastic bags came about in the US and spread to the rest of the world. They

talk about the harmfulness of plastic bags and then trace the roots of the emergence of

anti-plastic norms. How it emerged in the South and then became a rising sentiment in

the industrialised world . Now, however it seems to be on the cusp of a cascade, with

more and more countries moving towards an anti-plastic policy.

2. Plastic Industry Environmental Review – Dr. Tuong Thi Hoi

Dr. Tuong Thi Hoi (2002) analyzed four plastic manufacturing companies, impact on

environment, their policies and target, standards of emission, waste water, etc in his

study. Plastic Industry Environmental Review: An assessment of the significant

environmental aspects and impacts associated with plastic manufacturing in Ho Chi Min

city Vietnam, June 2002. Vietnam cleaner production centre. Dr. Tuong Thi Hoi

concluded the following: All four plastic companies have not adopted any of the EMS

nor environmental policies, environmental purposes and targets. Companies’ managers

and staffs are not aware of significant environmental aspects related to their company

operation and they do not know which environmental standards on emission, wastewater,

noise etc. need compliance. DOSTE had carried out several environmental measurements

on air, water and labor environments at Dat Hoa and Duy Tan. However, the managers of

these two companies do not want to show measurement results to the workers or public.

Truong Thinh and Tu Hai have never had any environmental monitoring program carried

out by DOSTE.

6

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09644010902823717

3. Plastic Waste: Will the New Rules Clear up the Clogged Mess?

Link: http://cseindia.org./content/plastic-waste-will-new-rules-clear-clogged-mess

The paper talks about how plastic is a threat to the environment and have in some places

caused natural disasters like floods leading to loss of human lives. It throws light on the

Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 and the rules and conditions that

have been enforced.

4. Understanding The Consumer Demand for Plastic Bags in India- Evidence from an

Experiment in Delhi - Rohini Somanathan and Kanupriya Gupta- Delhi School of

Economics

Link: http://www.webmeets.com/files/papers/EAERE/2009/469/plastic-paper-EAREE.pdf

In this paper they have tested for appropriate policies/interventions to control for plastic

bag litter in Delhi. The efficacy of policies/interventions was tested through field

experiments in both the organized and unorganized retail segments. The interventions

that were implemented are provision of information to consumers, a cash back scheme

contingent on use of non-plastic environment friendly bags and provision of subsidized

substitutes to plastic bags. . Results indicate that with these interventions, on an average

the proportion of consumers bringing their own bags increased from 1.2% in the baseline

period to 4.7% during the intervention phase and plastic bags use came down from 92.8%

to 76.3% respectively. The findings corroborate the evidence from organized sector some

of which charge explicitly for plastic bags where there was nearly 50% reduction in usage

of plastic bags. Apart from the evidence from environmental taxation where a tax on

plastic bags reduces its usage, importantly the provision of information to consumers

about the demerits of plastic bags usage has significant effect as well. Thus, low cost

information interventions can be very effective as they update the beliefs of agents

regarding the “social costs” of plastic bags and also introduce an element of private cost

by making the plastic bag users appear different. Further, they surveyed markets after the

imposition of total ban on plastic bags by the government. They used this event to

compare our interventions (requiring less monitoring and enforcement) to that of a ban

which required much stricter enforcement. The survey results showed dilution of efficacy

of ban within a very short span. Hence, in developing countries with little enforcement

7

http://www.webmeets.com/files/papers/EAERE/2009/469/plastic-paper-EAREE.pdf

http://cseindia.org./content/plastic-waste-will-new-rules-clear-clogged-mess

capacity, an environmental policy that has potentially the most far reaching impact but

requires stronger institutional support might not be the most appropriate.

5. In 2007, Convery, F., McDonnell & Ferreira, studied the effect of imposing product tax

on the consumer behavior in Ireland. Interestingly it was observed that the effect of the

tax on the use of plastic bags in retail outlets has been dramatic—a reduction in use in the

order of 90%, and an associated gain in the form of reduced littering and negative

landscape effects.

6. GOOI BEE SUNG UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA in his research paper states,

stakeholders such as the consumer play a pivotal role in the environmental and health

consciousness and business owners will have to align with consumer’s opinion on green

issue so that their business will not be affected.

7. In 2008, Sanghi & Seema in their research paper, "Use of plastic bags: factors affecting

ecologically oriented behavior in consumers." Found that the results reveal that mere

knowledge does not help until measures are taken at policy level for its usage

implementing strict measures to drive behavioral practices.

8. In December 2013, Lorraine Whitmarsh and Christine Suffolk in their research paper,

“The introduction of a single-use carrier bag charge in Wales: Attitude change and

behavioral spillover effects”, found that a bag charge is an effective way of reducing

single use carrier bag use. Also the single-use carrier bag charge brought about a change

in habits in wales.

9. In 2009, Elaine Ritch, Carol Brennan and Calum MacLeod in their research, “Plastic bag

politics: modifying consumer behaviour for sustainable development”, provide symbolic

and practical evidence of a ‘throwaway’ consumer culture which acts as a significant

barrier to sustainable consumption in particular and sustainable development in general.

8

10.Naryan, Priya (2001) `Analyzing Plastic waste management in India: Case study of

polybags and pet bottles.’ Master of Science thesis submitted to the University of Lund,

Sweden

11.Narayan (2001) is one of the few studies on India and analyzes policies that have been

enforced by the government to address the acute problem of littering in Mumbai. Results

revealed that despite adequate enforcement the recycling rule has not been able to address

the littering problem because these policies primarily encourage recycling and this does

not produce the same benefits as waste prevention.

12.UNEP (2006) Policy Instruments for the management of plastic bags in Nairobi

A study by UNEP (2006) examines the use of policy instruments for managing plastic

bags waste in Nairobi. The study recommends a policy package containing a variety of

policy instruments, whose levels are to be calibrated based on observed outcomes. The

study proposes combinations of the following instruments: a minimum thickness standard

of 30 microns, a levy incident on the manufacturers but passed on to the shoppers, and

the development of alternative carrier bags.

13.Behind the Scenes of the Plastic Bag Ban in Rwanda – Froidbise, Audrey

Rwanda today is in the spotlight for its economic resurgence and development projects

such as Vision 2020. One of its achievements is the prohibition, since 2008, of the

production, importation, use and sale of polythene bags on a national scale. The thesis

explores the connections to culture, power and sustainability that can be revealed through

the plastic bag ban. The framework of the study was inspired by Marcel Mauss’ theory of

a total social fact, which helps identify the interactions between various elements,

historical, cultural, political and sustainability, pertaining to the plastic bag ban. The

collected data compiles information from a qualitative field research and literature. The

thesis investigates how the ban on plastic bags is discussed in Rwandan society with a

focus not only on political power but also on the different forms of power, namely

punishment, law enforcement and discipline. Furthermore, it looks at the effects of the

genocide and the resulting transformation of roles and responsibilities for Rwandan

women in relation to the plastic bag ban.

9

14.Plastic bags banned, blamed for Maha floods.

Link: http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=53482

"Gutters choked with plastic bags caused the flooding which led to enormous losses for

the state," the chief minister said in a statement. "The media and environmental and

citizens' groups demanded that plastic bags be banned, so we are banning them."

Bangladesh also banned plastic bags after blaming them for clogged drains and floods

there, while a handful of Indian states that rely on tourism have done so to prevent

littered bags becoming eyesores. Ireland and Taiwan have slapped taxes on them.

15. Revenue Services and Environmental Taxes: A Comparative Study of the Irish and

South African Approaches to a Levy on Plastic Bags

This paper examines at a levy on plastic bags introduced in Ireland in 2002, and a

comparable measure phased in by South Africa from 2003. It looks at the approach taken

by the Revenue in each case, and isolates key influences on the policy formation process.

It assesses the effectiveness of each measure as an environmental tax, in terms of the

potential to achieve a double dividend for the economy. It describes difficulties

encountered in the introduction and implementation of the levies, and suggests

refinements to improve the effectiveness of such levies if introduced in other

jurisdictions.



Sweden

Narayan (2001) is one of the few studies on India and analyzes policies that have been





10

http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=53482



























11














jurisdictions.

http://www.isid.ac.in/~pu/conference/dec_11_conf/Papers/KanupriyaGupta.pdf.

21.In January 2009, the Government of Delhi introduced a wide-ranging ban on the use of

plastic bags in market places. Results showed a dilution in the efficiency of the ban

within a year, with extensive lack of enforcement. About 94% of the patrons carry on to

using plastic bags in blatant violation of rules. The effects of other possible price and

non-price devices possibly requiring less checking and enforcement in order to

control/reduce the use of plastic bags were monitored. The success of these guidelines

through field experiments in the semi-organized retail sector was tested. The policy

treatments included (i) provision of evidence to consumers, (ii) a cash-back scheme liable

on use of non-plastic bags and (iii) provision of alternatives for plastic bags. The results

indicate that cumulatively these involvements increase the quantity of consumers who

bring their own bags from 4.6% in the baseline to 17.7% post treatment. The number of

consumers who would only use plastic bags came down on average from 80.8% to

57.1%. Hence, the study closes that in developing countries with little enforcement

volume, a blanket ban may not be the best possible solution. Instead, low cost

information interventions, convenience of substitutes to plastic bags, and subsidies

12

http://www.isid.ac.in/~pu/conference/dec_11_conf/Papers/KanupriyaGupta.pdf

(taxes) on the use of recyclable bags (plastic bags) could establish an important policy-

mix.

http://eprints.usm.my/23750/1/Thesis_-_Gooi_Bee_Sung.pdf

22.The practice of plastic bag has caused both convenience and inconvenience in our daily

lives. It causes ecological hazards as maximum plastic bags are not bio-degradable.

Cleanliness and wastage issue are also worrisome as plastic bag can be seen scattered all

across the town. Usage of plastic bag for hot edible items not only causes such problems

but it may also cause health hazards for the consumer. Plastic bag is usually used to pack

hot edible items in hawker stall, food court and coffee shops. The danger rises when

wrong type of plastic is being used as chemical migration between plastic and food that

can be exploited by temperature and content as there is direct contact between the hot

edible items and the plastic itself. According to green marketing concept, stakeholders

such as the consumer play an essential role in the environmental and health of the society.

Therefore, this study is being conducted in order to understand the consumer perception

and practice based on this issue. Factors persuading the perception and practice will also

be identified so that recommendation can be made to raise public awareness and

minimize the usage of plastic bag ultimately.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873020/

23.Plastics are inexpensive, lightweight and sturdy materials, which can willingly be

moulded into a assortment of products that find use in a wide range of applications. As a

consequence, the manufacture of plastics has amplified markedly over the last 60 years.

However, present levels of their tradition and disposal generate several environmental

problems. Around 4 per cent of world oil and gas production, a non-renewable resource,

is used as feedstock for plastics and a further 3–4% is expended to provide energy for

their manufacture. A major share of plastic produced each year is used to make

disposable items of packaging or other short-lived products that are discarded within a

year of manufacture. These two observations alone indicate that our current use of

plastics is not sustainable. In addition, because of the toughness of the polymers involved,

13


http://eprints.usm.my/23750/1/Thesis_-_Gooi_Bee_Sung.pdf

substantial quantities of discarded end-of-life plastics are accumulating as debris in

landfills and in natural habitats worldwide.

http://www.isca.in/IJENS/Archive/v2/i3/2.ISCA-IRJEvS-2013-017.pdf

24.One of the most common things in our modern world is the universal plastic grocery bag.

Highly convenient, strong and inexpensive, plastic grocery bags are interesting to both

customers and businesses as a reliable way to deliver goods from the store to home.

However, there are numerous issues associated with the production, use, and disposal of

plastic grocery bags which may not be initially apparent to most users, but which are

nonetheless tremendously important. By assessing the lifecycle of plastic grocery bags,

we can better comprehend the full ecological footprint of the plastic bag, and find more

effective means of dealing with the associated negative impacts. India’s plastic

consumption is one of the highest in the world. Yet, precious little has been done to

recycle, re-use and dispose of plastic wastes. This study shows that even small town with

a population of approximately 1.5 lakhs is not free from the menace of plastic bags. The

authors assess the type of plastic bags used by different subjects followed by their use

and disposal. The study also suggests the judicious and effective ways to tackle the

problem at larger level.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/article/Abhigyan/192438179.html

25.Environmental hazard due to use of plastic bags and inappropriate disposal is becoming a

threat. The objective of this research was to analyse the factors responsible for using

plastic bags by the consumers and identify the important psychological barriers to a more

widespread adoption of ecological sustainable life styles. Seven Hundred consumers of

Delhi and NCR region were identified based on convenient sample for the data collection

covering all segments of society. Four independent factors were identified and labelled as

Environmental Awareness, Active Participation, Health Hazards and Alternative Choice,

from all segments together. The results reveal that mere knowledge does not help until

measures are taken at policy level for its usage implementing strict measures to drive

behavioral practices.

14

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/article/Abhigyan/192438179.html

http://www.isca.in/IJENS/Archive/v2/i3/2.ISCA-IRJEvS-2013-017.pdf

26.Phasing out Single-Use Plastic Bags

Link: https://www.zerowasteeurope.eu/2010/09/phasing-out-single-use-plastic-bags/

The paper talks about how and what Europe is doing to phase out the use of plastic bags.

Around the world, different countries are opting for different methods to stop usage of

plastic bags – China and South Africa have banned the usage while Taiwan has imposed

taxes.

Ireland introduced something called ‘PlasTax’ in 2002 of 0.15€ and managed to reduce

the usage of single use plastic bags by 90% in just 6 months. Infringement was

sanctioned with fines starting from 1905€

France enforced a ban on sale of non-biodegradable plastic bags with a fine of 100€ on

violation. Denmark also imposed a tax, reducing usage by 66%. All these taxes and

initiatives are part Europe’s Zero Waste Strategy.
















15

https://www.zerowasteeurope.eu/2010/09/phasing-out-single-use-plastic-bags/
























jurisdictions.



Sweden

16


Narayan (2001) is one of the few studies on India and analyzes policies that have been





Problem Statement

What is the perception of people after the ban on the usage of plastic?

Scope and Objective

-To understand the perception of people before the ban on plastic

-To understand the change in behaviour of people after the ban on plastic.

-To understand the awareness of people on the usage of plastic bags.

-To know the impact on environment after the ban on plastic

17

Chapter 2

Research Methodology

18

Research Design

The plastic bags ban has been, partially or fully, mandated in many of the Indian states. But, in the last

few years, many questions have been raised regarding the effectiveness of the ban. The implementation of

the ban has varied across states, indicating that there may be many factors influencing this. Thus, it

becomes important to assess the effectiveness of the ban and also examine the reasons behind its success

or failure.

This study sets out to check the compliance level of the plastic bags ban in the country through a detailed

primary and secondary survey. The study also tries to evaluate reasons for the success and failure of the

ban in many regions.

The study has the following objectives:

To evaluate the level of awareness among consumers about the plastic bags ban and the

issues associated with plastic use.

To examine the types of carry bags and materials used by consumers to carry their

purchased items and the extent of adoption of this habit.

To examine the attitude of the consumers when it comes to the use of alternatives to

plastic bags, and the bottlenecks for shifting to these alternatives.

Primary Research

Survey guidelines were designed to tap the perception of different stakeholders in the specified region.

The prepared survey tool was used. The outcome of the pilot survey was then examined thoroughly and

necessary observations and suggestions were prepared.

Secondary Research

Secondary research comprised collecting documents relating to the plastic industry from the varied

sources in the public domain. The following aspects were covered in the secondary research:

City demographics

Current scenario of the plastic industry

19

Sampling Technique: The sampling technique that adapted to conduct the survey was ‘Random

Sampling’ and the area of the research was concentrated in various cities. The survey was conducted in

various colleges, offices etc.

Sample Size: 350

Data Collection Method: Survey

Data Collection Tool: Questionnaire

Statistical Tool: Paired Sample T-test

Type of Research: Exploratory Research

20

Chapter 3

Data Analysis

21

ANALYSIS 1

Above analysis show perception about ban of plastic bags among male and female on following

factors:

1. How often did you recycle/reuse plastic bags?

Females recycle/reuse plastic on an average more than Males, which show there is

variation in the perception before the ban of plastic bags.

2. How often did you carry your own grocery bags?

Females carry grocery bags more as compared to males before the ban of plastic bags.

3. How often did you ask for extra plastic bags in malls and big stores?

Average of Males is more than females showing that male were less aware as compared

to females. Males were not interested in recycling plastic bags.

4. How often did you use paper or cloth bags?

This also again show that female are more interested in protecting environment, hence

used to carry their own paper or cloth bags, as compared to males.

5. How often did you asked for extra plastic bags to street vendors?

Average of Males is more than females showing that male were less aware as compared

to females. Males were not interested in recycling plastic bags.

22

6. How often did you throw away plastic bags?

Males average is more than females showing lack of awareness among the males.

ANALYSIS 2

Female Male0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

Average of How often do you use Plastic bags for following pur-poses on a scale of 1 ro 5 ? (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [Package for everyday items]Average of How often do you use Plastic bags for following pur-poses on a scale of 1 ro 5 ? (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [Garbage bin cover]Average of How often do you use Plastic bags for following pur-poses on a scale of 1 ro 5 ? (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [Stor-age]Average of How often do you use Plastic bags for following pur-poses on a scale of 1 ro 5 ? (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [Gro-ceries]

This analysis shows the usage of plastic bags for different functions. This will help in evaluating

factors which are most important for plastic bags. There are many things for which people can’t

avoid using plastic bags and this analysis will help find out same among males and females.

Overall, both Males and females find plastic most important for Garbage bins. Average is high as

compared to other products among both the population because there is no replacement for the

garbage bins.

Through this analysis we can conclude that if perception about band of plastic bags has not

improved among many then the primary reason of usage of plastic bags is garbage bins.

23

Chapter 4

Results & Discussions

24

HYPOTHESIS TESTING: Paired sample t-test

Based on the questions in the survey we have tried to compare mean of different factors

BEFORE and AFTER the ban of plastic bags. We have tested our sample on one-tailed paired t

test because we trying to analyse whether perception about the ban of plastic bags is good or not.

Based on different factors our hypothesis will be whether mean has improved or decreased

1. How often did you recycle/reuse plastic bags?

H0: Mean of recycling of bags has not improved after the ban of plastic bags.

H1: Mean of recycling of bags has improved after the ban of plastic bags

µ2>µ1( µ2: Mean after the ban and µ1 : Mean before ban)

At 95% significance level, p value for one tail (0.078) as shown above is more than 0.05.

p calculated > 0.05, Hence we accept null hypothesis.

Thus there is no change in recycling of the plastic bags even after ban of plastics.

t-Test: Paired Two Sample for Means

What do you feel about the following factors BEFORE the ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all; 5-Very

often) [How often did you recycle/reuse plastic bags ]

What do you feel about the following factors AFTER the

ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all;

5-Very often) [How often do you recycle/reuse plastic

bags ]Mean 3.081 3.204Variance 1.587 1.770Observations 355.000 355.000Pearson Correlation 0.477Hypothesized Mean Difference 0.000df 354.000t Stat -1.427P(T<=t) one-tail 0.078t Critical one-tail 1.651P(T<=t) two-tail 0.155t Critical two-tail 1.970

25

2. How often did you carry your own grocery bag when you went shopping?

H0: Mean of carrying bags while shopping has not improved after the ban of plastic bags.

H1: Mean of carrying bags while shopping has improved after the ban of plastic bags

µ2>µ1(µ2: Mean after the ban and µ1 : Mean before ban)


What do you feel about the following factors BEFORE the ban of

plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [How often did you carry your own grocery bag when you

went shopping]

What do you feel about the following factors

AFTER the ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5

(1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [How often do you carry your own

grocery bag when you went shopping]

Mean 2.90212766 3.323404255Variance 1.866448445 1.66419349Observations 355 355Pearson Correlation 0.507844009Hypothesized Mean Difference 0df 355t Stat -4.895030365P(T<=t) one-tail 0.00t Critical one-tail 1.651391475P(T<=t) two-tail 0.00t Critical two-tail 1.970153643

At 95% significance level, p value for one tail (0.00) as shown above is less than 0.05.

p calculated < 0.05, Hence we reject null hypothesis.

Thus mean of carrying bags for shopping has improved after ban of plastic bags. So,

perception has improved after ban of plastic bags and people started carrying their own

bags more often.

26

3. How often did you ask for extra plastic bags while shopping?

H0: Mean of asking for extra plastic bags while shopping has not decreased after the ban

of plastic bags.

H1: Mean of asking for extra plastic bags while shopping after the ban of plastic bags has

decreased

µ2<µ1( µ2: Mean after the ban and µ1 : Mean before ban)


What do you feel about the following factors BEFORE the ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [How often did you ask

for extra plastic bags while shopping (malls and big

stores)]


ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all;

5-Very often) [How often do you ask for extra plastic

bags while shopping (malls and big stores)]

Mean 2.6 2.093617021Variance 1.668376068 1.179232588Observations 355 355Pearson Correlation 0.608741506Hypothesized Mean Difference 0df 354t Stat 7.270705253P(T<=t) one-tail 0.00t Critical one-tail 1.651391475P(T<=t) two-tail 0.00t Critical two-tail 1.970153643



Thus mean of asking for extra plastic bags while shopping has decreased after ban of

plastic bags. So, perception has improved after ban of plastic bags and people have

decreased asking for extra bags.

27

4. How often did you ask for extra plastic bags while shopping from street vendors?

H0: Mean of asking for extra plastic bags while shopping from street vendors has not

decreased after the ban of plastic bags.

H1: Mean of asking for extra plastic bags while shopping from street vendors after the

ban of plastic bags has decreased

µ2<µ1(µ2: Mean after the ban and µ1 : Mean before ban)


What do you feel about the following factors BEFORE the ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [How often did you ask

for extra plastic bags while shopping (street vendors and

small shops)]


ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [How often

do you ask for extra plastic bags while shopping (street vendors and small shops)]




Thus mean of asking for extra plastic bags while shopping from street vendors has

decreased after ban of plastic bags. So, perception has improved after ban of plastic bags

and people have decreased asking for extra bags.

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5. How often did you use paper or cloth bags?

H0: Mean using paper or cloth bags has not improved after the ban of plastic bags.

H1: Mean using paper or cloth bags has increased after the ban of plastic bags has

decreased

µ2>µ1( µ2: Mean after the ban and µ1 : Mean before ban)


What do you feel about the following factors BEFORE the

ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all; 5-Very

often) [How often did you use paper bags or cloth bags for

shopping]


ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [How often do you use paper bags or cloth bags for

shopping]Mean 2.957 3.413Variance 1.374 1.175Observations 355.000 355.000Pearson Correlation 0.357Hypothesized Mean Difference 0.000df 354.000t Stat -5.447P(T<=t) one-tail 0.000t Critical one-tail 1.651P(T<=t) two-tail 0.000t Critical two-tail 1.970



Thus mean of carrying paper or cloth bags has increased after ban of plastic bags. So,

perception has improved after ban of plastic bags and people are focussing more on usage

of paper and cloth bags.

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6. How often did you throw away your plastic bags?

H0: Mean of throwing plastic bags has not improved after the ban of plastic bags.

H1: Mean of throwing plastic bags has decreased after the ban of plastic bags has

decreased

µ2<µ1(µ2: Mean after the ban and µ1 : Mean before ban)


What do you feel about the following factors BEFORE the ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro 5 (1-Not at all; 5-Very

often) [How often did you throw away your plastic bag

right after purchase ]

What do you feel about the following factors AFTER the ban of plastic bags on a scale of 1 ro

5 (1-Not at all; 5-Very often) [How often do you throw away

your plastic bag right after purchase ]




Thus mean of throwing plastic bags has decreased after ban of plastic bags. So, perception

has improved after ban of plastic bags and people have stopped throwing plastic bags so

frequently.

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Chapter 4

Results & Discussions

32

We have done analysis for sample size of 350 covering each and every age group and with

different educational background. Most of them were aware about the ban of plastic bags.

Responses also differed based on the location, whether plastics are strictly banned or not.

Analysis was based on six factors which were indirectly or directly related to perception of

consumers about the ban of plastic bags. After testing the data on one tailed t-test, we can find

out the perception of people after and before the ban of plastic bags. For all different factors

hypothesis was designed on the type of factor and whether it has improved or deteriorated. There

was improvement in the following factors after ban of plastic bags:

1. People have started carrying their own bags for grocery shopping

2. People are not asking frequently for extra bags while shopping either from malls or from

street vendors.

3. People have increased he use of paper and cloth bags after the ban of plastic bags

4. Throwing of plastic bags has decreased

Above factors clearly show that people perceive ban of plastic bags as good reason for

improvement of environment. Ban of plastic bags is seen as positive and perception among

the consumers have changed a lot.

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Chapter 6

Limitations of the study

34

The research is confined to some specific cities and does not necessarily show a pattern

applicable to all of country.

Any suggestions given by analyzing data collected may not be accurate for other

locations as people requirements and expectations differ from one place to other.

The environmental changes are vital to be considered in order to assimilate the findings.

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Chapter 7

Managerial Implications

36

In 2002, India banned the manufacture of plastic bags below 20 µm in thickness to prevent

plastic bags from blocking the municipal drainage systems and to prevent the cows in India

ingesting plastic bags as they confuse it for food. However, enforcement remains a problem. The

Karnataka state became first state to ban all types of plastic carry bags, plastic banners, plastic

buntings, flex, plastic flags, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic spoons, cling films and plastic

sheets for spreading on dining tables irrespective of thickness including the above items made of

thermacol and plastic which uses plastic micro beads.

This research helped us in identifying whether there was a change in perception of the people

after the ban. There was a strong reasoning of environment while implementing the ban and we

wanted to check the correlation of reuse of plastics after the ban by comparing it with the

situation before the ban.

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References

Convery, F., McDonnell, S. & Ferreira, S. Environ Resource Econ (2007) 38: 1.

doi:10.1007/s10640-006-9059-2

GOOI BEE SUNG UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA Research Report in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration

Sanghi, Seema. "Use of plastic bags: factors affecting ecologically oriented behavior in

consumers." Abhigyan 26.3 (2008): 34+.Academic OneFile. Web. 5 Sept. 2016.

E Ritch, C Brennan, C MacLeod - International Journal of …, 2009 - Wiley Online

Library

The introduction of a single-use carrier bag charge in Wales: Attitude change and

behavioural spillover effects

https://www.zerowasteeurope.eu/2010/09/phasing-out-single-use-plastic-bags/

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09644010902823717

http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/37639/9/09_chapter%202.pdf

http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1506020.pdf

http://www.academia.edu/6654179/

ERADICATION_OF_PLASTIC_CARRY_BAGS_PERCEPTION_OF_THE_PUBLIC


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Perception of People about ban of plastic bags in India

Data & Analytics

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