CUSTOMERS OPINION ON USAGE OF PLASTIC BAGS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY BAGS AMONG GENERAL PUBLIC OF ISLAMABAD

Abstract

Introduction Despite the increasingly widespread popularity of plastic bags there are limited comprehensive studies on the effects of usage and frequency of plastic bags and its consequences on environment and public health. Therefore, this study finds out the perception of plastic bags ban and using environment friendly bags. Objectives The study was carried out to find out the prevalence of plastic bags and ecofriendly bags use and to find out the association of plastic bags ban with using environmental friendly bags. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among general public of Islamabad. Data was collected by interview based adapted questionnaire with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.7. It contained questions regarding demographic characteristics, environmental impacts of using plastic bags and perception of respondents about using ecofriendly bags. Data was collected by simple random sampling method. Chi square test was applied to check the association of plastic bags ban and customers perception about environmental friendly bags. Results A total of 328 participants from general public took part in the study, among 58.2% males and 41, 2% females aged 18years and above completed the questionnaire. The results showed significant association of plastic bags ban and customers opinion of using environmental friendly bags with p-value < 0.05 which is significant. Conclusion The use of plastic bags is much common in Pakistan and it affects environment badly. The customer’s opinion about ban on using plastic bags and using environmental friendly bags have significant association. The Government need to make policy to reduce plastic pollution curtailing with Sustainable developmental Goals. Keywords Plastic bags, Environmental pollution, biodegradable plastic bags, ecofriendly.