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Perception and Behavioural Changes of Residents and Enterprises under the Plastic Bag Restricting Law

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  • Liujie Xu

    (National Observation and Research Station of Coastal Ecological Environments in Macao, Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao 999078, China)

  • Yuan Zhong

    (National Observation and Research Station of Coastal Ecological Environments in Macao, Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao 999078, China)

  • Xi He

    (National Observation and Research Station of Coastal Ecological Environments in Macao, Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao 999078, China)

  • Xiong Shi

    (Yangtze Eco-Environment Engineering Research Center, China Three Gorges Corporation, Beijing 100038, China)

  • Qingbin Song

    (National Observation and Research Station of Coastal Ecological Environments in Macao, Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao 999078, China)

Abstract

With the severe plastic pollution issue worldwide, restrictions or bans on plastic bags have become the most popular policy intervention. As essential participants in reducing plastic consumption, residents and enterprises are vital in implementing the plastic bag restriction law (PBRL). Through a questionnaires survey of the 630 consumers and 50 enterprises, this study investigates residents’ and enterprises’ perceptions and behavioural changes toward PBRL in Macao and identifies the key influence factors. The results show that most of the respondents (95%) began to reduce the use of plastic bags after implementing the PBRL. The Internet and TV/radio were essential ways for respondents to acquire knowledge of the PBRL policy. The results of applying the binary regression model indicate that demographic characteristics (gender), plastic bags knowledge, environmental concern, and policy satisfaction were the key factors in individual consumers’ behavioural changes. For enterprises, the supermarkets have the most significant decline in sales of plastic bags. Moreover, some enterprises, especially grocery stores and supermarkets also imply that their sales are affected after implementing the PBRL. The obtained results in this study may serve as a reference for Macao and other regions to promote and improve PBRL in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Liujie Xu & Yuan Zhong & Xi He & Xiong Shi & Qingbin Song, 2022. "Perception and Behavioural Changes of Residents and Enterprises under the Plastic Bag Restricting Law," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7792-:d:848377
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. He, Haoran, 2012. "Effects of environmental policy on consumption: lessons from the Chinese plastic bag regulation," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(4), pages 407-431, August.
    2. Jörg Radtke & Özgür Yildiz & Lucas Roth, 2022. "Does Energy Community Membership Change Sustainable Attitudes and Behavioral Patterns? Empirical Evidence from Community Wind Energy in Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Hu, Jia-Wei & Javaid, Aneeque & Creutzig, Felix, 2021. "Leverage points for accelerating adoption of shared electric cars: Perceived benefits and environmental impact of NEVs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
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    1. Shosh Shahrabani, 2025. "The Long-Term Impact of Policy Intervention on Intention to Reduce Plastic Bag Usage in Israel: A Mediation Model Approach to Consumer Behavior and Environmental Attitudes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-16, March.

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