Stemming Plastic Bag Pollution in Anambra State: Willingness of The Public to Accept Alternative Bags

Abstract

With billions of plastic bags in circulation, their presence is seen everywhere and every day. Bags are a fundamental part of our everyday life especially when we go shopping. Plastic bags have dominated the bag market for years, beating others to become the most sought after by consumers. However, it is now clear that plastic bags play a role in polluting the environment and impacts on the environment negatively due to poor and prolonged degradation process. Following the negative impact of plastic bags several countries have placed a partial or total ban on plastic bags while some have used levies instead to curtail their use. It is also reported that other countries are considering or are at the verge of placing bans. Hinged on the concept of waste management hierarchy, this research appraises the willingness of plastic bag consumers in Anambra State, (Southeast) Nigeria to accept the usage of alternative bags. The result showed that 83% of respondents demand for plastic bag when they shop while 70% indicated they get upset when it’s not provided. 60% preferred plastic bags to other alternatives, 65% had knowledge about the environmental impact of plastic bags, while 85% want a total ban on plastic bags. The study also showed that an average of 1 to 3 bags were used daily, giving a total of 90 bags in a month per person. An increase in production of alternatives, public enlightenment, and use of incentives are part of recommendations made towards reducing the impact of plastic bags on the environment.