Tinjauan Awal Gelagat Pengguna Malaysia Terhadap Isu Penggunaan Beg Plastik (Consumer Attitudes on the Use of Plastic Bags in Malaysia: A Preliminary Study)

Abstract

Kajian ini dijalankan bertujuan untuk memerhatikan respons semasa, perubahan gelagat pengguna sewaktu berbelanja dan keberkesanan kempen selepas hampir sedekad dikenakan caj beg plastik RM0.20 dijalankan di Malaysia. Data kajian daripada 122 responden diperolehi secara kuantitatif melalui borang soal selidik atas talian. Hasil kajian mendapati budaya membawa beg sendiri masih janggal dalam kalangan masyarakat Malaysia meskipun majoriti pengguna mengetahui kewujudan Kempen Bebas Plastik. Perubahan gelagat pengguna adalah rendah kerana 62.3% pengguna masih tidak membawa beg sendiri atas alasan terlupa. Sebanyak 57.3% pengguna pula masih sanggup membayar caj RM0.20 bagi mendapatkan beg plastik. Hasil kajian turut mendapati bahawa pengguna lebih memilih untuk bergantung kepada inisiatif peniaga seperti menyediakan beg kertas dan kotak untuk pembeli. Melalui kajian ini juga, didapati media massa merupakan platform utama dalam menyebarkan maklumat dan mewujudkan kesedaran tentang alam sekitar. Pengguna menyokong polisi yang lebih ketat dan kenaikan caj beg plastik bagi setiap pembelian.

Kata kunci: beg plastik; caj plastik; gelagat pengguna; isu alam sekitar; kesedaran

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine consumers’ response, changes in their shopping behaviour and the effectiveness of the ‘No Free Plastic Bag’ campaign after almost a decade consumers were charged RM0.20 for using plastic bags. Data was collected from 122 respondents who answered an online questionnaire. The findings indicated that bringing your own shopping bag is not yet the culture in Malaysia despite that majority of consumers were aware of the campaign. Behavioural change is low as 62.3% of respondents routinely forget to bring their own shopping bags. More than half of the respondents (57.3%) are still willing to pay RM0.20 for a plastic bag. The findings of this research also revealed that consumers are too depending on retailers’ green initiatives such as providing them with paper bags and boxes. Through this study, mass media plays a crucial role in disseminating information and creating environmental awareness among consumers. Many consumers voiced their support for a stricter regulation and to increase the current fee for each plastic bag purchased.

Keywords: plastic bag; plastic charge; consumer behaviour; environmental issue; awareness