Identifying Key Behaviour Patterns that Influence Plastic Bag Refusal Decisions

Abstract

The increasing environmental crisis has made the issue of plastic waste a major topic in global discourse. Although many studies have investigated broader aspects of sustainability, few have investigated the specific behavioral patterns that lead individuals to make environmentally conscious decisions, such as refusing to use plastic bags. This study aims to fill the research gap by identifying the main behavioral patterns that influence the decision to refuse the use of plastic bags. To methodically achieve this goal, this research uses the CRISP-DM (Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining) framework as its guiding analytical paradigm. Data was collected through a carefully designed questionnaire, involving a sample size of 268 respondents. The decision tree algorithm was applied to the data, allowing detailed exploration of behavioral patterns that significantly contribute to plastic bag use aversion. Preliminary findings reveal the interaction of behavior, attitude and actions factors that collectively guide individuals in making sustainable choices. These insights not only contribute to the existing literature but also offer actionable avenues for future policy interventions.