The implementation effects of different plastic bag ban policies in China: the role of consumers’ involvement

Abstract

This study selects three cities in China that implement plastic bag ban policies with different levels of consumer involvement to compare the effects of policy implementation. In general, consumer plastic bag usage behaviour becomes more environmentally friendly when plastic bag ban policies became more stringent. High consumer involvement policies induces changes in pro-environmental bag use; however, their plastic-reducing effects are uncertain and compounded. In contrast, low-consumer-involvement policies could reduce plastic waste damage but could not make consumers’ more environmentally conscious with regard to bag usage. Moreover, this study confirms robust bag usage differences across different groups of consumers. These findings provide valuable insights into the patterns of influence of different types of plastic bag bans. Based on these insights, plastic crisis managers can create more effective and targeted policies to combat the growing plastic crisis.