Effect Of Plastic Ban On Consumer Behaviour

Author: LawSphereX

Category: Consumer Law

Published: 2026-08-23T19:36:57.338Z

Updated: 2026-08-30T07:06:13.192Z

EFFECT OF PLASTIC BAN ON CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR

Irene Maria, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai Prof. Dr. Arun D Raj, Assistant Professor, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai

ABSTRACT

This study explores the impact of India’s 2022 single-use plastic ban on consumer behaviour, examining public attitudes, awareness levels, satisfaction with government policies, and the adoption of sustainable alternatives. Conducted through a structured questionnaire targeting 61 respondents across various age groups and regions, the research reveals a generally positive attitude towards the ban, with over 60% of participants supporting strict enforcement and recognizing the environmental threat posed by plastic pollution. While awareness of plastics non-biodegradability, its impact on marine ecosystems, and the risks of microplastics is high, behavioural adoption of sustainable practices remains limited – only a minority consistently avoid single-use packaging or bring reusable containers.

The findings also highlight public dissatisfaction with government efforts, particularly in areas such as enforcement, awareness campaigns, and support for vendors transitioning to eco-friendly options. The study underscores the need for comprehensive policy implementation, increased education, and economic incentives to drive long-term behavioural change. However, limitations in sample suggest the need for broader research that includes the underrepresented demographics. Overall, the study emphasizes that meaningful change in plastic consumption patterns requires a coordinated approach involving policy, education, infrastructure, and public engagement.

INTRODUCTION

Plastic’s affordability, durability and ease of manufacturing have led to its growing demand due to it practicality and ease of use. In addition, the emergence of the “use-and-throw” culture has increased its demand for plastics, leading to only one use-age, to be thrown away. A significant portion of al plastics produced today are single-use plastics, which are mainly used as packaging materials. There is a build-up of plastics garbage, much of which ends up in the waterways and oceans which has a direct negative impact on marine life, because the majority of plastic is not biodegradable and some types of plastic take up to a thousand years to break down as a result and even entering into a food systems as microplastic.

The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 is an effort by the government to address the growing issue of plastic waste and to manage it adverse effect on the environment and living beings. The Rules was put forth in exercise of the powers conferred by the Section

6 (Rules to regulate environmental pollution), Section 8 (Persons handling hazardous

substances to comply with procedural safeguards), and Section 25 (Power to make rules) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 12th August 2021 had notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendments Rules, 2021 to prohibit single use plastic items which are of minimal use per item resulting in manifold waste production and has been effective since 1st July 2022. There has been partial or complete ban on plastic bags or items throughout the States/Union Territory.

As per Rule 4(2) of the Plastic Management Rules as amended states,”The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of following single use plastic (SUP), including polystyrene and expanded polysterne, commodities shall be prohibit ed: (a) Ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks with balloon (b) ons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration; (c) Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers;” Further under Rules (4)(1)(c ) has also prohibited the use of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic, which is of less than seventy five microns in thickness and one hundred and twenty microns in thickness.

1 As per the ule 17(3) of the Rules, has mandated that each State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee to prepare and submit the Annual Report to Central Pollution Control Board on the implementation of the rules and further, under rule 17(4), the Central Pollution Control Board needs to put forth a consolidated report on the use and management of plastic waste and forward it to Central Government. Upon the recent Annual Report of 2020-21 on Implementation of Plastic Wate Management Rules, 2016 has been observed that States of Telangana followed by Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are amongst the largest generator of plastic waste. FIG. 1 FIG. 1 notes the distribution of plastic waste among the states by analysing the per capita waste generation for the years of 2016-21.

2 As per the Annual Report it has been notified that the 35 states/UT’s has implemented the rules in various ways as given below: 1 Central Pollution Control Board. Annual Report 2020-21 on Implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. New Delhi: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, 2021. https://cpcb. nic. in/openpdffile. php? id=TGF0ZXN0RmlsZS8zNDNfMTY0Mzk3NzUwNF9tZWRpYXBob3Rv NjI3My5wZGY= Annual Report 2020-21 on Implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, https://cpcb. nic. in/uploads/plasticwaste/Annual_Report_2020-21_PWM.

pdf There has been a complete ban on plastic carry bags in 24 States/UTs, namely - Andaman & Nicobar, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Daman Diu and Dadar Nagar Haveli, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh. Ban on plastic carry bags of thickness 3 Id.

recycled”4 The nations around the world have implemented prohibitions on single-use plastic products as a means of addressing the environmental issue of plastic pollution. The worldwide trash culture has made the planet a dumpster which has resulted as the root cause to the problem. In addition to destroying the ecosystems, plastic pollution is depriving under-privileged communities of a healthy environment and natural resources. The direct harm that plastic use does can be seen at the instance; of albatross starvation which serves as a warning to humans who are already consuming plastic and its by-products through fish.

5 In UNEP report, “Chemicals in Plastics: A Technical Report” has identified more tham 13,000 chemicals have been associated with plastics and plastic production; with more than ten groups of chemicals such as flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and many other non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) is of major health concern due to high toxicity and for these chemicals to released through the usage of plastics. 6 According to UNEP, single-use plastic is the root -cause for poor waste management and consideration to the natural environment.

7 Plastic is seen to have severe impact on health and social arena as plastic particle due to its toxic chemicals cn be carcinogenic adding to the rising cancer patients globally and could also impact nervous, reproductive and respiratory systems. Also, in developing/developed states plastics have replaced woods for cooking and heating purpose releasing toxic fumes aggravating health risks on both women and children. 8 Many countries throughout the word are enacting prohibitions in addition to policies that promote recycling and the use of life cycle assessment for plastic items. For example, Massachusetts has limited the use of plastic packing materials and California in United States

4 United Nations Development Programme. (2024). Plastics 101. https://www.undp.org/plastics-101

5 McDermott, Kristin L. Plastic Pollution and the Global Throwaway Culture

Environmental Injustices of Singleuse Plastic. Salve Regina University, May 4, 2016. https://digitalcommons. salve. edu/env434_justice/7. 6 United Nations Environment Programme. 2023. Chemicals in Plastics – A Technical Report. Geneva: United Nations Environment Programme. https://www. unep. org/resources/report/chemicals-plastics-technical-report. 7 UNEP. Single-Use Plastics: A Roadmap for Sustainability; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Nairobi, Kenya, 2018. 8 Kumar, Rakesh et al. "Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions. " Sustainability 13, no. 17 (2021): 9963. https://doi. org/10. 3390/su13179963. has banned the single-use plastics. Canada has outlawed plastic containing cosmetics.

Various other countries have brought effective policies that has curbed the use of plastics such as, in Portugal in 2015 levied tax on plastic bags which led to a 74% decrease in use. Number of countries being United States, Canada, Denmark, United Kingdom and Italy have banned the use of microbeads in cosmetic goods which upon use could lead to plastic crisis and the multiplication macro-plastics and microplastics. 9 For the same reason, by recognizing the need for sustainable production and consumption to tackle plastic pollution which is part of SDG 12 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was put forth.

As an effort to bring forth a international treaty, the resolution 5/14 resolution of the UN towards UNEP to develop an instrument which is based on a comprehensive approach addressing the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design and disposal with the final and fifth session to take place on 14 August 2025 in Switzerland. 10

METHODOLOGY

The paper seeks to examine the public attitudes towards the banning of plastic bag and other items to combat plastic pollution in India, with respect to attitude of the public towards plastic ban and the knowledge of the ban, the general awareness towards plastic pollution, the satisfaction towards the efforts of the plastic ban policies, individual behavioural change postban and the commitment of the public towards sustainability. The methodology adopted in this research paper is empirical and analytical and the authors have collected primary data through the means of a questionnaire to evaluate the public attitudes to plastic ban imposed in India in

2022. The questionnaire consist of random sample of 61 respondents belonging to the age

group of 18-77 years, belonging to the urban, sub-urban and rural regions of India. The questionnaire has a total of 40 questions and was divided into 7 parts: • Part I consisted of 5 questions in relation their demographics • Part II consisted of 5 questions on the attitude of the public towards plastic ban

9 Id.

10 United Nations Environment Programme. "Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution." UNEP, 2022.. https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.

Part III consisted of 5 questions on the awareness of plastic pollution • Part IV consisted of 5 questions on the awareness of plastic ban and plastic mitigating policies. • Part V consisted of 5 questions on satisfaction towards government efforts and policies towards plastic ban • Part VI consisted of 10 questions on individual behaviour towards sustainable alternatives • Part VII consisted of 5 questions on the public opinion on bringing forth alternatives to plastic Part II consisted questions numbered 6-10 with respect to attitude of the public towards plastic ban and each question had 5 options to choose the option that their opinion aligns with. The options consisted of strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and strongly disagree options. For questions 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 the answer associated with the positive attitude towards plastic ban by strongly agree and agree.

Part III had questions numbered 11-15 related to awareness of plastic pollution. Each question has the options of yes or no. Part IV had questions numbered 16-20 in relation to the awareness of plastic ban and plastic mitigating policies. Each question has the options of yes or no. Part V had questions numbered 21-25 in relation to satisfaction towards government efforts and policies towards plastic ban. Each question had 6 options. The options included, i. Much more needs to be done; ii. More needs to be done; iii. Adequate; iv. Less needs to be done; v. Much less needs to be done; vi. Not Aware. Part VI had questions numbered 26-35 on individual behaviour towards sustainable alternatives. Each question had the options of yes, no and not aware. Part VII had questions numbered 36-40 in relation to public opinion on bringing forth alternatives to plastic.

DISCUSSION

AND

FINDINGS

1.1 Demographic Details of Respondents.

The demographic details is in regards to age, gender, level of education and type of employment were collected from the respondents. Table 1 as shown below, a disproportionately high number of respondents (38. 3%) are form the age group of 18-27 and the lowest number of respondents (0%) from the age group of 68-77. Table 1: Age of Respondents Age Group Number of Respondents Percentage of Respondents 18-27 38. 3% 28-37 16. 7% 38-47 16. 7% 48-57 25% 58-67 3. 3% 68-77 As seen from Table 2 below, the percentage of female respondents is higher with 51. 7% that to of the male respondents. Table 2: Gender of the Respondents Table 3: Highest Level of Education Highest Level of Education Number of Respondents Percentage High School or below 6. 7% Diploma 11. 7% Graduate 58. 3% Post-graduate and Above 23. 3% As seen as in below Table 4, the majority of respondents (46.

7%) are salaried and the least number of respondents (1. 7%) is homemaker. Table 4: Type of Employment of the Respondents Type of Employment Number of Respondents Percentage Salaried 46. 7%

1.2 Attitude of the Public Towards Plastic Ban

As seen below in Table 5, the majority of the respondents show a positive attitude towards banning of plastic with more than 63. 9% respondents strongly agreeing that banning of plastic is necessary to reduce environmental pollution. 49. 2% of the respondents acknowledge that banning single use plastic is more important than the economic convenience which comes with it. 62. 3% of the respondents considers to take strict action against plastic rules offenders, 42. 6% respondents supports a complete ban on plastic packaging and 50. 8% considers that it is their personal responsibility to reduce plastic usage. Table 5: Attitude of the Public Towards Plastic Ban Plastic bans are necessary Banning single-use The government should take strict action I support a I am personally responsible for reducing complete to reduce environmental plastics is ban on plastic packaging.

more important against my plastic pollution Attitude towards than economic convenience plastic offenders. usage. Plastic Ban Strongly Agree 63. 9% 49. 2% 62. 3% 42. 6% 50. 8% Agree 31. 1% 39. 3% 29. 5% 37. 7% 44. 3% use plastic and its non-biodegradable property respectively. 77% of the respondents are aware of plastic breaking down into microplastics and entering the food chain. Table 6: Awareness on Plastic Pollution Awareness on Plastic Pollution Yes No Are you aware of how much plastic is produced annually worldwide? 31. 1% 68. 9% Do you know what single-use plastics are? 90. 2% 9. 8% Are you aware that most plastics are non-biodegradable? 93. 4% 6. 6% Do you know how plastic pollution affects marine life? 95. 1% 4. 9% Have you heard about microplastics entering the food chain? 77% 23%

1.4 Awareness of Plastic Ban and Plastic Mitigating Policies.

As seen as below in Table 7, 70.5% respondents are aware of the plastic ban that has been implemented and 68.9% respondents are aware that the ban has been in place since July 2022. With respect to penalties for violating plastic ban, government campaigns on plastic free initiatives and the enforcement of plastic ban in public spaces, it is to be noted that about half of the respondents; 52.5%, 54.1% and 54.1% respondents respectively are aware of the same. Table 7: Awareness of Plastic Ban and Plastic Mitigating Policies Do you know that India banned certain single-use plastics in July 2022? 68.9% 31.1% Are you aware of penalties imposed for violating plastic bans? 52.5% 47.5% Do you know of any government campaigns promoting plasticfree alternatives? 54.1% 45.9% Have you seen enforcement of plastic bans in public spaces? 54.1% 45.9%

1.5 Satisfaction towards Government Efforts and Policies towards Plastic Ban

As seen in Table 8 below, majority of the respondents have the opinion that much more needs to be done towards mitigating plastic items, as a result signifies the dissatisfaction of the public towards government efforts. 54. 1% respondents wants much more to be done by the government to reduce plastic waste, 45. 9% respondents wants more initia tive to enforce plastic ban in their locality, 52. 5% wants much more awareness campaigns to be conducted, 49. 2% respondents more availability of alternatives to single-use plastics and 44. 3% respondents states that much more government support to vendors to transition from plastic needs to be done. Table 8: Satisfaction towards Government Efforts and Policies towards Plastic Ban Evaluate the awareness campaigns run by the government. 52. 5% 32. 8% 11. 5% 1. 6% 1. 6% 0% Evaluate the availability of alternatives to single-use plastics. 49. 2% 42.

6% 6. 6% 1. 6% 0% 0% Evaluate government support to vendors in transitioning away from plastics. 44. 3% 45. 9% 6. 6% 1. 6% 1. 6% 0%

1.6 Individual Behaviour towards Sustainable Alternatives

As seen as in Table 9 below, majority of the respondents do not adopt sustainable alternatives and there can be seen a lack of sustainable approaches to pre-packaged products with only 39. 3% respondents making the effort to differ. Only 34. 4% respondents use reusable containers when ordering take-out or eating out and 34. 4% respondents have taken initiative to be part of awareness campaigns. Table 9: Individual Behaviour towards Sustainable Alternatives Yes No Not Aware Individual Behaviour towards Sustainable Alternatives Have you started using a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled mineral water? 72. 1% 21. 3% 6. 6% Do you bring your own reusable containers or utensils when ordering takeout or eating out? 34. 4% 62. 3% 3. 3% Have you consciously switched to personal care or household products that come in sustainable, refillable, or plastic-free packaging? 59% 36. 1% 4.

9% Have you encouraged your family or friends to follow plastic-free practices since the ban? 80. 3% 18% 1. 6% Do you actively avoid vendors or retailers still using banned plastic items? 41% 52. 5% 6. 6% Have you participated in community or citizen-led cleanup or awareness campaigns against plastic use? 34. 4% 65. 6% 0% Since the plastic ban, do you carry a reusable cloth/jute bag while shopping for groceries or daily items? 65. 6% 26. 2% 8. 2%

1.7 Public Opinion on Bringing forth Alternatives to Plastic

As seen as in Table 10, the respondents have reacted positively to shifting to alternatives to that of plastics and is supportive to initiatives to support the same.

Are you willing to pay more for eco-friendly products over plastic-packaged ones? 60. 7% 11. 5% 27. 9% Would more education and awareness increase your commitment to the ban? 70. 5% 14. 8% 14. 8% Would financial incentives (e. g. , discounts, refunds) encourage continued compliance? 78. 7% 9. 8% 11. 5% LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY The present study has been conducted in the English language and the questionnaire was circulated in a paperless format by relying on google forms. Further, the study has only targeted the educated and computer literate individuals who could be considered to be from privileged backgrounds of the population of India and the study has not sought response from the underprivileged individuals of the society. The study has a disproportionate no of response from the youth (39. 3%) and of old age (0%).

Therefore, the attitude and awareness to plastic ban and consumption behaviour patterns does not represent the whole of consumers of India.

CONCLUSION

The enforcement of the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 in India, especially the ban on single-use plastics effective from July1, 2022 has triggered a generally positive shift in consumer attitude and awareness, though the extent of behavioural change various across the individuals and regions. The study reveals that a majority of respondent (60%) recognize the necessity of the plastic ban for environmental protection and express support for stricter governmental enforcement. There is also a high awareness of the non-biodegradability of plastics, their impact on marine life, and microplastics entering the food chain, indicating a well-informed sample group. However, the translation of awareness into consistent action remains partial: • While 82% now carry re-useable bags, only 39.3% avoid single0use packaged goods, and just 34.4% bring reusable containers for takeout.

The public perceives a lack of sufficient government efforts, with over 50% of respondents believing much more needs to be done; particularly in enforcement, public education, and providing alternatives. Encouragingly, over 70% respondents believe that increased education and awareness, as well as financial incentives, would significantly strengthen compliance and deepen long-term commitment to sustainable behaviour. Globally, the findings align with broader international trends where countries are adopting comprehensive lifecycle approaches to plastic management and recognizing the toxic impacts of plastics on health, ecosystems and socio-economic stability. However, the study’s limitation lies in its respondent demographics – primarily educated, urban, and younger individuals, excluding underprivileged and older populations whose behaviour and challenges may differ.

As such, the insights should be considered indicative, not nation-wide representative. The plastic ban in India represents a crucial step toward environmental sustainability. While the public sentiment is largely supportive, the success of the ban will depend on multi-level coordination – combining policy enforcement, accessible alternatives, economic incentives, and inclusive education to drive widespread, enduring behavioural change across all demographics.