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How Do Tougher Plastics Ban Policies Modify People’s Usage of Plastic Bags? A Case Study in China

Author

Listed:
  • Bairong Wang

    (School of Economics and Management, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Yuhua Zhao

    (School of Economics and Management, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Yong Li

    (School of Marxism, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

Abstract

This study analyzes people’s bag usage before and after the introduction of the tougher 2021 plastics ban policies by counting the number of charged carrier bags, inner bags, old plastic bags, and reusable bags used by consumers at the exits of the investigated supermarkets in Shanghai, China. The results indicate positive effects of the tougher 2021 measures by observing significantly decreased usage of charged carrier bags by 46%, and significantly increased usage of old plastic bags and reusable bags by 117% and 36%, respectively. Policy execution loopholes are found in some supermarkets which do not follow the tougher plastics ban measures. Fortunately, the spill-over effects from tougher-measure-executing supermarkets fix this issue to some extent. Additionally, the tougher 2021 measures fail to be the most powerful impacting factor on people’s usage of each type of bag. To produce better plastics reducing results, other bag-targeted measures are necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Bairong Wang & Yuhua Zhao & Yong Li, 2021. "How Do Tougher Plastics Ban Policies Modify People’s Usage of Plastic Bags? A Case Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-8, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10718-:d:654973
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    5. Tatiana A. Homonoff, 2013. "Can Small Incentives Have Large Effects? The Impact of Taxes versus Bonuses on Disposable Bag Use," Working Papers 1483, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yong Li & Bairong Wang, 2021. "Go Green and Recycle: Analyzing the Usage of Plastic Bags for Shopping in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-10, November.
    2. Bairong Wang & Yong Li, 2022. "Consumers’ Intention to Bring a Reusable Bag for Shopping in China: Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Yong Li & Bairong Wang & Yunyu Li, 2023. "The Influence of the Big Five Personality Traits on Residents’ Plastic Reduction Attitudes in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-12, May.
    4. Yong Li & Bairong Wang & Orachorn Saechang, 2022. "Is Female a More Pro-Environmental Gender? Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.

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