Abstract
Introduction:This study focused on assessing the perceptions of consumers on plastic bags tax levy in peri-urban areas of Eswatini, using Kwaluseni and Logoba chiefdoms as case studies.Methods:The areas of key focus include knowledge of and attitudes of consumers towards plastic bags pollution, strategies employed by consumers to manage plastic bags, consumers’ willingness to pay for plastic bags and what Eswatini Environment Authority has done so far in controlling plastic bags pollution.Results:A total of 165 households, (99 from Kwaluseni and 66 from Logoba) were conveniently sampled and interviewed with the aid of a questionnaire. Community leaders and an environmental inspector from Eswatini Environment Authority were also interviewed. The findings show that the use of plastic bags is increasing in both chiefdoms (92.93% at Kwaluseni and 92.42% at Logoba). Concerning what respondents do with the plastics bags after ferrying their goods home, 25% at Kwaluseni and 19% at Logoba of the respondents claimed to reuse some bags and throw away the rest.Conclusion:With regard to willingness to pay, the findings indicate that 49.70% of the respondents are willing to buy plastic bags.
Highlights
This study focused on assessing the perceptions of consumers on plastic bags tax levy in peri-urban areas of Eswatini, using Kwaluseni and Logoba chiefdoms as case studies
The findings indicate that 51.70% of the respondents from both chiefdoms support the trend of selling plastic bags to consumers in the shops and they believe that the charge can reduce plastic bags pollution
The findings indicated that the plastic bag tax levy in the country is still a bill, awaiting parliamentary approval as reported by an officer from the Eswatini Environment Authority
Summary
This study focused on assessing the perceptions of consumers on plastic bags tax levy in peri-urban areas of Eswatini, using Kwaluseni and Logoba chiefdoms as case studies. Plastics were first invented in the 1860s but developed for industries in the 1920s, and became one of the fastestgrowing global industries in the 1970s due to huge popularity among consumers [1]. Plastic bags are available in huge numbers and varieties across the world. Plastic shopping bags are widely used for transporting goods all over the world due to their functionality, strength, and low cost [3] Notably, approximately half of the plastic bags manufactured worldwide are used as single-use disposable consumer items made from. According to Dikgang and Visser [6], as with many other pollution issues in Africa, the plastic bag problem is rooted in widespread poverty, corruption, environmental injustice, and residues of colonialism. Plastic bags pollution is both unsightly and a hazard to the environment wildlife and livestock. Water trapped in the plastic bags provides an ideal
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