Papers

61,005 results
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Systematic Review Tier 1

A systematic literature review of voluntary behaviour change approaches in single use plastic reduction

This systematic review examines efforts to voluntarily reduce single-use plastic consumption through behavior change rather than legislation. The research finds that while government bans on plastics are effective, voluntary approaches that respect individual choice can also make a difference. Understanding what motivates people to reduce plastic use is key to tackling the microplastic pollution problem at its source.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Behavioral insights into reusable bag adoption: Evaluating the effectiveness of the theory of planned behavior in Lahore

Researchers investigated the behavioral determinants of reusable bag adoption over single-use plastic bags, using behavioral insights frameworks to evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions and identify factors that drive sustained reuse rather than one-time uptake.

2024 Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development
Article Tier 2

Addressing the single-use plastic proliferation problem

This review examined the effectiveness of single-use plastic bans as a policy tool for addressing plastic pollution, evaluating evidence on their environmental impact and discussing alternative regulatory approaches. The authors found that while bans have reduced certain plastic categories, broader systemic changes to plastic production and waste management are needed.

2022 8 citations
Article Tier 2

The paradox of plastic bag legislation: How bans and taxes affect PM2.5 air pollution in 208 countries

Researchers analyzed plastic bag regulations in 208 countries and found that outright bans generally reduce fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution, while plastic bag taxes unexpectedly increase it — likely because alternative bags require more energy-intensive production. The findings reveal that poorly designed plastic policies can create unintended environmental trade-offs.

2024 Heliyon 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of Plastic Usage and the Factors Associated With It Among Adults in Perambalur District of South India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Researchers surveyed 1,200 adults in South India about their plastic use habits, finding that 92.5% use plastic daily despite widespread awareness of its harms and local bans on plastic bags. The study found that younger, urban, more educated, and male participants were the heaviest plastic users, indicating that awareness alone is not enough to change behavior.

2023 Cureus 3 citations
Review Tier 2

Single-use Plastic Ban and its Public Health Impacts: A Narrative Review

This review examines global policies and bans on single-use plastics, finding that they have helped reduce plastic pollution in some regions. However, enforcement and public health impacts vary widely, and more consistent international policy is needed to effectively address plastic waste.

2020 Annals of SBV 9 citations
Article Tier 2

A Study On Creating Awareness Of Plastic Usage To Promote Sustainable Practices For A Greener Future

This study examines educational interventions and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing plastic consumption and promoting sustainable practices, evaluating their effectiveness in shifting public attitudes and behaviors toward a lower-plastic future.

2025 International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research
Systematic Review Tier 1

Summarizing the impacts of policies that limit the use of single-use plastic items: a systematic literature review

This systematic review summarizes research on policies that restrict single-use plastics, finding they reduce plastic consumption by an average of 62%. The findings matter for human health because less single-use plastic means fewer microplastics entering the environment, our water supply, and ultimately our bodies.

2025 Journal of integrated global STEM 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Consumer Preference for Attributes of Single-Use and Multi-Use Plastic Shopping Bags in Cape Town: A Choice Experiment Approach

Researchers used a choice experiment with 250 consumers in Cape Town to quantify willingness to pay for shopping bag attributes, finding that consumers most valued medium-sized, reusable bags -- with willingness to pay up to R7.11 per unit -- over recyclable or durable alternatives, providing evidence-based guidance for plastic bag policy interventions.

2022 Sustainability 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of a New Conceptual Model: Consumers’ Purchase Intention towards Eco-friendly Bags

This paper is not about microplastics; it proposes a consumer behavior model to understand factors influencing purchase intentions toward eco-friendly bags as a plastic reduction strategy.

2023 International Journal of Management Technology and Social Sciences 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Consumer Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors towards the Use of Plastic Bags in the Kingdom of BAHRAIN

A survey of consumer knowledge and attitudes toward plastic bag use in Bahrain found that despite awareness of environmental harms, usage remains high due to convenience and free availability. While the study touches on plastic pollution broadly, it does not present microplastic research data and is more a behavioral/policy study.

2023 International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting Finance and Management Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of Policy Design on Plastic Waste Reduction in Africa

This paper is not about microplastics; it analyzes the design and effectiveness of single-use plastic bag policies across 39 African countries, identifying policy gaps that allow plastic waste to persist despite widespread bans.

2023 Sustainability 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the impact of banning the single use plastic carrier bags: A case study for Kenyan marine environment

This study assessed the impact of Kenya's ban on single-use plastic bags on marine plastic pollution, finding changes in plastic litter composition at eleven coastal sites. Policy interventions like bag bans can measurably reduce certain types of plastic pollution in marine environments.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The effects of environmental information provision on plastic bag use and marine environment status in the context of the environmental levy in Greece

Researchers surveyed Greek citizens on plastic bag use and marine conservation attitudes, finding that an environmental levy on plastic bags reinforced pre-existing environmentally friendly behavior and that willingness-to-pay for marine conservation reflected both individual and collective responsibility, supporting combined economic and informational policy interventions.

2022 Environment Development and Sustainability 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Factors Related to Reducing The Use of Plastic Bags in Kabupaten Bekasi

This Indonesian survey study examined the factors that influence whether people in Bekasi Regency reduce their use of plastic bags, finding that knowledge, attitudes, and access to alternatives were key predictors. Reducing single-use plastic bag consumption is important for limiting the amount of plastic that fragments into microplastics in the environment. The paper provides insights for designing behavior-change interventions aimed at plastic pollution reduction.

2021 Muhammadiyah International Public Health and Medicine Proceeding
Article Tier 2

Assessing the Effectiveness of the Plastic Ban in the City of Bangalore in Addressing the Market Failure Associated with It

Researchers assessed the effectiveness of the BBMP Solid Waste Management Bye-laws 2019 in Bangalore, India in reducing negative externalities from single-use plastic overconsumption, examining production and consumption data before and after implementation of the plastic ban.

2024 International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
Article Tier 2

Comportamiento de los Consumidores Frente al Uso De Bolsas Plásticas en las Ciudades de Ayacucho y Huancavelica – Perú

This study surveyed consumer behavior regarding plastic bag use in the Peruvian cities of Ayacucho and Huancavelica, using descriptive research methods with 167 consumers. The research provides data on consumer attitudes and practices relevant to evaluating the effectiveness of plastic bag reduction policies in Andean urban areas.

2023 Journal of Law and Sustainable Development
Article Tier 2

Perception and Behavioral Changes of Thai Youths Towards the Plastic Bag Charging Program

A survey in Thailand found that a plastic bag charging program raised awareness among youth but did not substantially change their behavior, partly due to inconsistent implementation. Thailand ranks among the top contributors to marine plastic pollution globally, making effective behavioral interventions a critical challenge.

2020 Applied Environmental Research 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Participation in No Plastic Bag Day (NPBD) Campaign among Young Consumers

This study examined why Malaysian consumers continue to use plastic bags despite the No Plastic Bag Day campaign introduced in 2011. The authors found that convenience and habit outweighed environmental awareness in driving behavior. The findings suggest that awareness campaigns alone are insufficient and must be paired with stronger policy incentives to effectively reduce plastic bag use.

2023 International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Survey and analysis on the use and disposal of plastic shopping bags before and after the introduction of charges

Japan's 2020 mandatory charge on single-use plastic bags reduced the number of bags taken by consumers by roughly 70%, from about 5.8 bags per person per week to under 2, and this reduction held steady through 2023. The study also found that municipalities with separate designated-bag waste policies already used fewer plastic shopping bags before the charge, suggesting that complementary waste policies amplify each other's effectiveness.

2023 Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 8 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Overview of Legal and Policy Framework Approaches for Plastic Bag Waste Management in African Countries

This systematic review examines how African countries have used bans and fees to manage plastic bag waste since 2004. It found that poor enforcement, industry resistance, and lack of affordable alternatives have limited the effectiveness of these policies across the continent. Reducing plastic bag use is important because bags break down into microplastics that contaminate soil, water, and food.

2020 Journal of Environmental and Public Health 50 citations
Article Tier 2

The Kenyan ban on plastic bags : a study of attitudes and adaptation in Nairobi

This study examined how Nairobi residents adapted to Kenya's 2017 ban on plastic bags, finding that most complied with the ban but concerns remained about enforcement consistency and availability of alternatives. The research provides insights into the social dynamics of plastic bag bans that can inform other countries considering similar policies.

2018 Duo Research Archive (University of Oslo) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Single-Use Plastic Bags in the United Arab Emirates

This survey assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward single-use plastic bags in the United Arab Emirates, finding moderate awareness but behavioral gaps, and identifying factors influencing willingness to reduce plastic bag use.

2024 Sustainability 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the alternative solutions and strategies of toledo city government for the damaging impact of single-use plastic bag in the environment

Residents of Toledo City in the Philippines were surveyed about their concerns regarding single-use plastic disposal and their views on government strategies to address the problem, with results showing strong public awareness and support for bans and alternatives. The study highlights community attitudes as an important input for designing effective municipal plastic waste reduction policies.

2022 ScienceRise 8 citations