Factors influencing the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags: a cognitive-normative-habitual approach

The widespread use and irresponsible disposal of single-use plastic shopping bags are posing a significant threat to environmental sustainability. The use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags (NPRSBs) is being promoted in several jurisdictions to avert this challenge. However, this form of pro-envi...

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Main Authors: Muposhi, Asphat, Mpinganjira, Mercy, Wait, Marius
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1017/aee.2021.9
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/australian-journal-of-environmental-education/article/factors-influencing-the-use-of-nonplastic-reusable-shopping-bags-a-cognitivenormativehabitual-approach/B04D54169AA65583BE446B8ED511488B
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4769
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author Muposhi, Asphat
Mpinganjira, Mercy
Wait, Marius
author_facet Muposhi, Asphat
Mpinganjira, Mercy
Wait, Marius
author_sort Muposhi, Asphat
collection DSpace
description The widespread use and irresponsible disposal of single-use plastic shopping bags are posing a significant threat to environmental sustainability. The use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags (NPRSBs) is being promoted in several jurisdictions to avert this challenge. However, this form of pro-environmental behaviour is failing to embed among consumers in emerging markets. This study therefore examines the factors influencing the behaviour of using NPRSBs among consumers, using a modified theory of planned behaviour. Data were collected from 487 South African consumers using a structured questionnaire and were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results identified ‘attitudes’ and ‘personal norms’ as the building blocks for the formation of pro-reusable shopping bags use intentions, which, in turn, influence actual behaviour. The findings also pointed to the need to foster the development of descriptive norms related to the use of NPRSBs in order to enhance mainstream use. Accordingly, this study recommends the use of rational and norm-based strategies to stimulate the behaviour of using NPRSBs.
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spelling ir-11408-47692022-06-27T13:49:06Z Factors influencing the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags: a cognitive-normative-habitual approach Muposhi, Asphat Mpinganjira, Mercy Wait, Marius Non-plastic reusable shopping bags Pro-environmental behaviour South Africa The widespread use and irresponsible disposal of single-use plastic shopping bags are posing a significant threat to environmental sustainability. The use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags (NPRSBs) is being promoted in several jurisdictions to avert this challenge. However, this form of pro-environmental behaviour is failing to embed among consumers in emerging markets. This study therefore examines the factors influencing the behaviour of using NPRSBs among consumers, using a modified theory of planned behaviour. Data were collected from 487 South African consumers using a structured questionnaire and were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results identified ‘attitudes’ and ‘personal norms’ as the building blocks for the formation of pro-reusable shopping bags use intentions, which, in turn, influence actual behaviour. The findings also pointed to the need to foster the development of descriptive norms related to the use of NPRSBs in order to enhance mainstream use. Accordingly, this study recommends the use of rational and norm-based strategies to stimulate the behaviour of using NPRSBs. 2022-03-25T11:27:58Z 2022-03-25T11:27:58Z 2021 Article 0814-0626 2049-775X https://doi.org/10.1017/aee.2021.9 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/australian-journal-of-environmental-education/article/factors-influencing-the-use-of-nonplastic-reusable-shopping-bags-a-cognitivenormativehabitual-approach/B04D54169AA65583BE446B8ED511488B http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4769 en Australian Journal of Environmental Education;Vol. 37; No. 3: p. 306-325 open Cambridge University Press
spellingShingle Non-plastic reusable shopping bags
Pro-environmental behaviour
South Africa
Muposhi, Asphat
Mpinganjira, Mercy
Wait, Marius
Factors influencing the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags: a cognitive-normative-habitual approach
title Factors influencing the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags: a cognitive-normative-habitual approach
title_full Factors influencing the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags: a cognitive-normative-habitual approach
title_fullStr Factors influencing the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags: a cognitive-normative-habitual approach
title_full_unstemmed Factors influencing the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags: a cognitive-normative-habitual approach
title_short Factors influencing the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags: a cognitive-normative-habitual approach
title_sort factors influencing the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags: a cognitive-normative-habitual approach
topic Non-plastic reusable shopping bags
Pro-environmental behaviour
South Africa
url https://doi.org/10.1017/aee.2021.9
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/australian-journal-of-environmental-education/article/factors-influencing-the-use-of-nonplastic-reusable-shopping-bags-a-cognitivenormativehabitual-approach/B04D54169AA65583BE446B8ED511488B
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4769
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