The effect of bags law on environmental behavior and habits-Mersin example

Abstract

The use of plastic bags (PB) has increased continuously over time because of their multipurpose property. Due to its environmental effects, Türkiye has approved a new law to limit the use of plastic bags. According to the approved Turkish plastic bags law (PBL), plastic bags of 15 microns or more are prohibited from being given to the customer free of charge. The new law’s effects were investigated by applying a face-to-face survey consisting of 13 questions to 1537 people in four districts close to Mersin city center. In addition to that, field surveys were managed to the common markets in the target area. From the target sample, 159 males and 128 females had not bought the PB after the law. Whereas 184 males and 178 females had bought PB for 10 times or more. The monthly income has a weak correlation with the plastic bags purchasing times. Families with 1-3 capita, 4-6 capita, and larger families who never bought plastic bags have moderate negative correlations. Families with 4-6 capita and larger families have a significant strong positive correlation at the (P<0.01). It was found that people aged 50 years and over who participated in the survey were less aware of the negative impact of bag use on the environment than younger ones. Garbage plastic bag consumption has not increased as expected. The managed field surveys proved that. The results from the surveys showed a decrease in PB consumption with a ratio between (60-80%).

Keywords

• Human habits
• Mersin
• plastic bags
• plastic bags reduction
• law
• tax
• Turkiye

References

1. Disposable America, “Inventor: StenGustafThulin,” https://disposableamerica.org/the-plastic-bag/inventor-sten-gustaf-thulin/ Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 2014. [CrossRef]
2. Environmental Protection Agency, “Plastic shopping bags options paper: Practical actions for plastic shopping bags,” https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/~/media/EPA/Corporate%20Site/resources/waste/160143-plastic-shopping-bags-options.ashx Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 2016.
3. H. Lewis, K. Verghese, and L. Fitzpatrick, “Evaluating the sustainability impacts of packaging: the plastic carry bag dilemma,” Journal of Packaging Technology and Research, Vol. 233, pp. 145-160, 2010. [CrossRef]
4. R. M. Miller, “Plastic shopping bags: An analysis of policy instruments for plastic bag reduction,” (master thesis). Sustainable Development Faculty of Geosciences, Universiteit Utrecht, 2012.
5. O. Alam, M. Billah, and D. Yajie, “Characteristics of plastic bags and their potential environmental hazards,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 132, 121-129, 2018. [CrossRef]
6. G. Bahri. “Sustainable management of plastic bag waste: The case of Nairobi Kenya,” (master thesis). Environmental Management and Policy Lund University, Sweden, 2005.
7. T.C. Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı, “Plastik poşet kullanımı yüzde 75 oranında azaldı,” https://www.csb.gov.tr/plastik-poset-kullanimi-yuzde-75-oraninda-azaldi-bakanlik-faaliyetleri-31995 Accessed on May 3, 2023, 2021.
8. P. Mogomotsi, E. J. Mogomotsi, and N. Phonchi, “Plastic bag usage in a taxed environment: Investigation on the deterrent nature of plastic levy in Maun, Botswana,” Waste Management & Research, Vol. 37(1), pp. 20-25, 2019. [CrossRef]

9. A. Jakovcevic, L. Steg, N. Mazzeo, R. Caballero, P. Franco, N. Putrino, and J. Favara. “Charges for plastic bags: Motivational and behavioral effects,” Journal of Environmental Psychology, Vol. 40, pp. 372–380, 2014. [CrossRef]
10. S. Muralidharan, and K. Sheehan ““Tax” and “Fee” message frames as inhibitors of plastic bag usage among shoppers: A social marketing application of the theory of planned behavior,” Social Marketing Quarterly, Vol. 22, pp. 200-217, 2016. [CrossRef]
11. F. Convery, S. McDonnell, and S. Ferreira, “The most popular tax in Europe? Lessons from the Irish plastic bag levy,” Environmental and Resource Economics, Vol. 38, pp. 1–11, 2007. [CrossRef]
12. J. Dikgang, and M. Visser, “Behavioral response to plastic bag legislation in Botswana,” South African Journal of Economics, Vol. 80, pp. 123–133, 2012. [CrossRef]
13. R. Hasson, A. Leiman, and M. Visser, “The economics of plastic bag legislation in South Africa,” South African Journal of Economic, Vol. 75, pp. 66–83, 2007. [CrossRef]
14. New scientists, “Fixing planet plastic: How we’ll really solve our waste problem,” https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23831780-100-fixing-planet-plastic-how-well-really-solve-our-waste-problem/ Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 2018.
15. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), “Banning single-use plastics: Lessons and experiences from countries,” https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25496/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 2018.
16. G. Desalegn, and A. Tangl, “Banning vs taxing, reviewing the potential opportunities and challenges of plastic products,” Sustainability, Vol. 14(12), Article 7189, 2022. [CrossRef]
17. P. Bari. “Plastic ban has worked in Sikkim but not in Delhi, finds Pune-based NGO,” https://www. hindustantimes.com/pune-news/plastic-ban-hasworked-in-sikkim-but-not-in-delhi-finds-pune-basedngo/story-EGV9D4hl1yhUFFLGt9vcTK.html Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 2018.
18. B. Ramadani, “Pollution and destruction. Resource exploitation and ideas to protect the environment,” Pre-University Paper, Vol. 8(2), 2018.
19. N. Bischoff, and R. H. Jongman, “Development of rural areas in Europe: the claim for nature,” Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy, 1996.
20. United Nations, “Report of the United Nations Conference on the human environment,” Stockholm, Sweden. 5-16 June 1972.
21. Municipal Law, “Law number 1580,” http://www.yds.gov.tr/dosyalar/1326978039-1580.pdf Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 1930.
22. Public Health Law, “Law number 1593,” https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.3.1593.pdf Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 1930.
23. Republic of Türkiye Constitution, “T.C. Anayasası 56. madde,” https://www.saglik.gov.tr/TR,11472/tcanayasasi-56madde.html Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 1982. Türkiye's Official Gazette, “Regulation on solid waste control, number: 25777,” http://www.maden.org.tr/mevzuat/mevzuat_detay.php?kod=21 Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 2005.
24. E. Arı, and V. Yılmaz, “Consumer attitudes on the use of plastic and cloth bags,” Environment, Development and Sustainability, Vol. 19 , pp. 1219–1234, 2017. [CrossRef]
25. M. H. Topal, H. F. Günay, C. Y. Uğur, A. Aydın, “Investigating of the effective factors on the paid bag usage intention in the context of the theory of reasoned action. Global Journal of Economics and Business Studies, Vol. 9), pp. 94-107, 2020.
26. G. Kocakaya, "Evaluation of the effect of plastic bag price on consumer behaviors in the context of behavioral economics," (master thesis). Marmara University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Economics, 2020. [Turkish]
27. Türkiye's Official Gazette, “Law amending environmental law and some laws (7153). http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2018/12/20181210-4.htm Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 2018.
28. Nüfus, “Mersin population,” https://www.nufusu.com/il/mersin-nufusu Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 2018.
29. Mersin Kultur Merkezi, “Mersin physical condition,” http://www.mersinkulturmerkezi.gov.tr/TR-162025/cografya.html Accessed on Aug 24, 2023, 2019.
30. R. Wilcox, “Introduction to robust estimation and hypothesis,” Academic Press, 2011. [CrossRef]
31. G. Senturk, and D. Dumludag, "An evaluation of the effect of plastic bag fee on consumer behavior: Case of Türkiye," Waste Management, Vol. 120, pp. 748-754, 2021. [CrossRef]
32. T. A. Homonoff, “Can small incentives have big impacts? The impact of taxes on bonuses on disposable bag use,” American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, Vol. 10(4), pp. 177-210, 2018. [CrossRef] [34] T. D. Nielsen, K. Holmberg, and J. Stripple, “Do you need a bag? Review of public policy on plastic bags - Where, how and what impact?” Waste Management, Vol. 87, pp. 428440, 2019. [CrossRef]