Economic Analysis of Enforcement and Effectiveness of Ban on the Use of Plastic Bags: Evidence from Logit Model

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of the plastic bag ban in Pakistan's capital city. In both urban and rural regions of Islamabad, 200 KAP questionnaires were filled out by shopkeepers. In the questionnaires, knowledge, attitude, and practices of the people regarding the plastic bags were examined, and the results are shown on different graphs and tables. The logit model was used for estimation of the model. The study finds out that the people of Islamabad have good knowledge and attitude towards plastic bags and the ban imposed on them, but they are relatively poor in terms of practicality. The reason behind their weak practicality is the weak enforcement of the ban and their fearlessness of getting caught in violation of the ban. Those retailers who have fear of being caught have an 11.7% higher probability of following the ban as compared to those who do not have fear of being caught. Moreover, the retailers supporting the ban and those who knew the amount of fine to be charged if they violated the ban had 19.5% and 43.2% higher probability, respectively, as compared to those retailers who were not supporting or were unaware. The availability of alternatives to retailers also played a vital role in following the ban. Based on the results of the study, it is suggested that people of Islamabad are more likely to follow the ban if they have more fear of being caught in violation of the ban. The government should strictly enforce the ban by increasing punishment and by increasing the probability of sanctioning people for the violation.

Key Words: Plastic Bags; Logit Model; Islamabad