Plastic consumption in urban municipalities: Characteristics and policy implications of Vietnamese consumers' plastic bag use. Issue 136 (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Makarchev, Nikita; Xiao, Chunwen; Yao, Bohao; Zhang, Yunlan; Tao, Xin; Le, Duy Anh
• Is Part Of: Environmental science & policy. Issue 136(2022)
• Page Start: 665
• Page End: 674
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Plastic consumption -- Plastic bags -- Sustainability -- Machine learning -- Policy reform -- Developing countries; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Environmental sciences; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70561
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.07.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-9011

Abstract

Abstract: Plastic waste pollution remains a major problem across the developing world. In Vietnam, the situation is particularly serious as many plastic consumption behaviours remain under-analysed and pertinent policies have produced limited impact. Accordingly, this paper examines the patterns and predictors of consumer plastic bag use when shopping in Da Nang, Vietnam. It does so by drawing on an original household survey and key informant interviews. Moreover, it applies the latest behavioural theory research and machine learning techniques. Subsequently, this paper observes Vietnamese consumers' plastic bag use is prevalent and often entrenched as a habit. Additionally, two socio-demographic and seven socio-psychological predictors are significant to the frequency of using plastic bags. These results, then, inform Vietnam's plastic consumption policies and, more broadly, emphasise the (1) heterogeneity of influences on consumer behaviour; (2) contingency of many widely-accepted behavioural predictors; and (3) shortcomings of purely regulatory solutions. Highlights: Effective plastic consumption policies are necessary to generate sustainable consumer behaviour. Machine learning techniques are used to examine the determinants of Vietnamese consumers' plastic bag use. Two socio-demographic and seven socio-psychological predictors were significantly associated with plastic bag use. Many consumers showed resistance to following plastic bag bans. Targeted multi-dimensional consumer behaviour reforms ought to be prioritised.