Estigating the situation of plastic bag consumption in Tabriz and providing management solutions to reduce and dispose of them

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, single-use plastic bag consumption and disposal are a global concern. The main aim of this study was to examine the logic and behaviors behind tendencies toward plastic bag use, determine the amount of plastic bag consumption, and assess the current regulation and condition of handling plastic bags and their disposal in Iran. Methods: The plastic bag consumption rate was estimated by using a web-based cross-sectional, self-reported survey questionnaire. Meanwhile, a questionnaire was developed in Google form to evaluate consumer behaviors and attitudes. The sampling method was accesses sample, and in total, 1834 people participated in the study. The independent sample t-test, Pearson’s correlation, one-way analysis of variance, and chi-square test were used in data analysis. A combination of methods was used to assess current regulation and management. Then some potential intervention strategies are presented for problem mitigation Results: The single use-plastic bag consumption is estimated to be 0.83 per capita per day, 69.72 million per day, and 25.45 billion per year in the country, while their waste is generally disposed of in dumpsites and unsanitary landfills or scattered in the environment. About 92.7% of Iran’s people utilize single-use plastic bags, and their easy (free) availability is announced as the main reason for using them. However, the interesting point is that 86.7% of people do a kind of secondary use of plastic bags, and 92.4% are familiar with the major environmental effects of plastic bags. The majority of people (78.2%) agree and compromise for putting in the application of a kind of strategy for plastic bag minimization.So applying practical interventions and policies such as banning the free presentation of bags, introducing some kinds of tax, and simultaneously better management of waste bags are necessary to reduce relevant above and environmental were used in data analysis. A combination of methods was used to assess current regulation and management. Then some potential intervention strategies are presented for problem mitigation Results: The single use-plastic bag consumption is estimated to be 0.83 per capita per day, 69.72 million per day, and 25.45 billion per year in the country, while their waste is generally disposed of in dumpsites and unsanitary landfills or scattered in the environment. About 92.7% of Iran’s people utilize single-use plastic bags, and their easy (free) availability is announced as the main reason for using them. However, the interesting point is that 86.7% of people do a kind of secondary use of plastic bags, and 92.4% are familiar with the major environmental effects of plastic bags. The majority of people (78.2%) agree and compromise for putting in the application of a kind of strategy for plastic bag minimization.So applying practical interventions and policies such as banning the free presentation of bags, introducing some kinds of tax, and simultaneously better management of waste bags are necessary to reduce relevant above and environmental effects. Conclusion: The single- use -plastic bags consumption in Iran is huge number annually. The people have become relatively aware of about the environmental effects of plastic bags. But high environmental awareness did not lead to great environmentally friendly behaviors, and people may act in ways that are simply convenient to them. Meanwhile, most of people have acceptance or readiness to for cooperation in minimization of bags consumption. Therefore, it can be concluded that the subject of single-use plastic bags minimization is a bit complemented and multi factorial and need other preparations and per-requirements. Consequently, Therefore, the application of practical interventions and policies such as banning of the free presenting of bags by retailers and shopping centers, the introducing of some kind of tax or levy (the newly approved and announced regulation by the government for plastic bags), and meantime comprehensive supervisioning of the subject and better management of waste bags are necessary for reduction of health and environmental effects.