The Influence of Norms, Environmental Attitudes, and Perceived Behavioral Control on Plastic Bag Use: A Behavioral-Economic Perspective

Authors

  • Nyoman Paramananda Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Warmadewa
  • Ida Ayu Agung Idawati Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Warmadewa
  • Ni Kadek Yamawati Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Warmadewa
  • I Komang Agus Sedana Putra Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Warmadewa
  • Ni Gede APrianto Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Warmadewa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54408/jabter.v5i2.523

Keywords:

Subjective Norms, Environmental Attitudes, Perceived Behavioral Control, Single-Use Plastic Bags, Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

Despite local regulations banning their use, single-use plastic bags remain widely consumed in Denpasar City. This study uses the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explore how subjective norms, environmental attitudes, and perceived behavioral control influence consumer intention and actual behavior, with intention acting as a mediating factor. The results suggest that a sense of control, environmental awareness, and social pressure play important roles in reducing plastic bag usage through behavioral intention. More importantly, the continued reliance on plastic bags imposes real economic costs—ranging from increased public spending on waste management to environmental damage that threatens tourism and fisheries. These hidden costs underline the urgency of combining regulatory measures with behavioral and economic strategies. Policies that support reusable alternatives, provide targeted incentives, and reshape social norms are essential not only for protecting the environment but also for ensuring long-term economic sustainability.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ajzen, I. (1985). From Intentions to Actions: A Theory of Planned Behavior. Action Control, 11–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69746-3_2

Ardhiyansyah, A., Iskandar, Y., & Riniati, W. O. (2023). Perilaku Pro-Lingkungan dan Motivasi Sosial dalam Mengurangi Penggunaan Plastik Sekali Pakai. Jurnal Multidisiplin West Science, 2(07), 580–586. https://doi.org/10.58812/jmws.v2i07.538

Ayar, I., & Gürbüz, A. (2021). Sustainable Consumption Intentions of Consumers in Turkey: A Research Within the Theory of Planned Behavior. SAGE Open, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211047563

Batooli, Z., Zarein-Dolab, S., Mohamadloo, A., & Rahimzadeh, M. (2022). Using Theory of Planned Behavior to Determine Consumer Intention in Choosing Cloth vs Plastic Bags. Applied Environmental Research, 44(1), 54–66. https://doi.org/10.35762/AER.2021.44.1.5

Bøhlerengen, M., & Wiium, N. (2022). Environmental Attitudes, Behaviors, and Responsibility Perceptions Among Norwegian Youth: Associations With Positive Youth Development Indicators. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(April 2021). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.844324

Bruchmann, K., Chue, S. M., Dillon, K., Lucas, J. K., Neumann, K., & Parque, C. (2021). Social Comparison Information Influences Intentions to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Water Bottle Consumption. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(September). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.612662

Buhmann, K. M., Rialp-Criado, J., & Rialp-Criado, A. (2024). Predicting Consumer Intention to Adopt Battery Electric Vehicles: Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031284

Cavaliere, A., Pigliafreddo, S., De Marchi, E., & Banterle, A. (2020). Do consumers really want to reduce plastic usage? Exploring the determinants of plastic avoidance in food-related consumption decisions. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(22), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229627

Chen, S., Wei, H., Meng, L., & Ran, Y. (2019). Believing in karma: The effect of mortality salience on excessive consumption. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(JULY), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01519

Chwialkowska, A., Bhatti, W. A., & Glowik, M. (2020). The influence of cultural values on pro-environmental behavior. Journal of Cleaner Production, 268(May), 122305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122305

Dash, A. (2021). Determinants of EVs adoption: a study on green behavior of consumers. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 10(1), 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-02-2019-0015

Dilkes-Hoffman, L. S., Pratt, S., Laycock, B., Ashworth, P., & Lant, P. A. (2019). Public attitudes towards plastics. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 147(March), 227–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.05.005

Dorce, L. C., da Silva, M. C., Mauad, J. R. C., de Faria Domingues, C. H., & Borges, J. A. R. (2021). Extending the theory of planned behavior to understand consumer purchase behavior for organic vegetables in Brazil: The role of perceived health benefits, perceived sustainability benefits and perceived price. Food Quality and Preference, 91(July 2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104191

Ghazali, E. M., Nguyen, B., Mutum, D. S., & Yap, S.-F. (2019). Pro-Environmental Behaviours and Value-Belief-Norm Theory: Assessing Unobserved Heterogeneity of Two Ethnic Groups. Sustainability, 11(12), 3237. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123237

Han, H. (2020). Theory of green purchase behavior (TGPB): A new theory for sustainable consumption of green hotel and green restaurant products. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(6), 2815–2828. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2545

Huang, X., & Ge, J. (2019). Electric vehicle development in Beijing: An analysis of consumer purchase intention. Journal of Cleaner Production, 216, 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.231

Kamalanon, P., Chen, J. S., & Le, T. T. Y. (2022). “Why do We Buy Green Products?” An Extended Theory of the Planned Behavior Model for Green Product Purchase Behavior. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(2), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020689

Kumar, A., & Pandey, M. (2023). Social Media and Impact of Altruistic Motivation, Egoistic Motivation, Subjective Norms, and EWOM toward Green Consumption Behavior: An Empirical Investigation. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054222

Li, G., Li, W., Jin, Z., & Wang, Z. (2019). Influence of environmental concern and knowledge on households’ willingness to purchase energy-efficient appliances: A case study in Shanxi, China. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(4), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041073

Li, Y., & Wang, B. (2022). Environmental motivation or economic motivation? Explaining individuals’ intention to carry reusable bags for shopping in China. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(November), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.972748

Liu, M. T., Liu, Y., & Mo, Z. (2020). Moral norm is the key: An extension of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) on Chinese consumers’ green purchase intention. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 32(8), 1823–1841. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-05-2019-0285

Liu, P., Teng, M., & Han, C. (2020). How does environmental knowledge translate into pro-environmental behaviors?: The mediating role of environmental attitudes and behavioral intentions. Science of the Total Environment, 728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138126

Miller, Z. D. (2017). The Enduring Use of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 22(6), 583–590. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2017.1347967

Misgana, B., & Tucho, G. T. (2022). Assessment of Community’s Perception Toward Single-Use Plastic Shopping Bags and Use of Alternative Bags in Jimma Town, Ethiopia. Environmental Health Insights, 16. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302221085047

Mugobo, V. V., & Ntuli, H. (2022). Consumer Preference for Attributes of Single-Use and Multi-Use Plastic Shopping Bags in Cape Town: A Choice Experiment Approach. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710887

Nathania, E. B., & Purnama, I. G. H. (2020). Pengetahuan, Sikap, Dan Perilaku Penjual Terhadap Pelarangan Penggunaan Kantong Belanja Plastik Sekali Pakai Di Pasar Tradisional Badung Kota Denpasar. Archive of Community Health, 7(2), 13. https://doi.org/10.24843/ach.2020.v07.i02.p02

Niemiec, R. M., Champine, V., Vaske, J. J., & Mertens, A. (2020). Does the Impact of Norms Vary by Type of Norm and Type of Conservation Behavior? A Meta-Analysis. Society and Natural Resources, 33(8), 1024–1040. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2020.1729912

Nu’man, T. M., & Noviati, N. P. (2021). Perilaku sadar lingkungan dalam perspektif Theory of Planned Behavior: Analisis terhadap intensi penggunaan kantong dan sedotan plastik pada mahasiswa. Jurnal Ecopsy, 8(2), 165. https://doi.org/10.20527/ecopsy.2021.10.016

Oludoye, O. O., & Supakata, N. (2024). Breaking the plastic habit: Drivers of single-use plastic reduction among Thai university students. PLoS ONE, 19(5 May), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299877

Otto, S., Evans, G. W., Moon, M. J., & Kaiser, F. G. (2019). The development of children’s environmental attitude and behavior. Global Environmental Change, 58(August 2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2019.101947

Roh, T., Seok, J., & Kim, Y. (2022). Unveiling ways to reach organic purchase: Green perceived value, perceived knowledge, attitude, subjective norm, and trust. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 67(December 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2022.102988

Rosa, C. D., & Collado, S. (2019). Experiences in nature and environmental attitudes and behaviors: Setting the ground for future research. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(APR), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00763

Shalender, K., & Sharma, N. (2021). Using extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to predict adoption intention of electric vehicles in India. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23(1), 665–681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00602-7

Sun, Y., & He, H. (2023). Understanding consumers’ purchase intentions of single-use plastic products. Frontiers in Psychology, 14(February), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1105959

Tian, H., Zhang, J., & Li, J. (2020). The relationship between pro-environmental attitude and employee green behavior: the role of motivational states and green work climate perceptions. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(7), 7341–7352. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-07393-z

Wijaya, B. S., Agustini, P. M., Hanathasia, M., Putri, D. M., & Sutawidjaya, A. H. (2020). Why do people ignore the “plastic bag diet” campaign? an Indonesian consumers perspective. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 423(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/423/1/012009

Xie, S., & Madni, G. R. (2023). Impact of Social Media on Young Generation’s Green Consumption Behavior through Subjective Norms and Perceived Green Value. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043739

Xu, Y., Du, J., Khan, M. A. S., Jin, S., Altaf, M., Anwar, F., & Sharif, I. (2022). Effects of Subjective Norms and Environmental Mechanism on Green Purchase Behavior: An Extended Model of Theory of Planned Behavior. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10(February), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.779629

Yang, X., Chen, L., Wei, L., & Su, Q. (2020). Personal and media factors related to citizens’ pro-environmental behavioral intention against haze in China: A moderating analysis of TPB. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072314

Yulius, H., Dewata, I., Heldi, Syah, N., Putra, A., Hasmira, M. H., & Frinaldi, A. (2024). Consumer Behavior Towards Environmental Policy for Paid Plastic Shopping Bags in Traditional Markets of Padang City. International Journal of Environmental Impacts, 7(1), 151–158. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijei.070117

Zhang, W., Mas’od, A., & Sulaiman, Z. (2022). Moderating Effect of Collectivism on Chinese Consumers’ Intention to Adopt Electric Vehicles—An Adoption of VBN Framework. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912398

Zhang, X., & Dong, F. (2020). Why do consumers make green purchase decisions? Insights from a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186607

Downloads

Published

2025-12-01

How to Cite

Paramananda, N., Idawati, I. A. A., Yamawati, N. K. S., Putra, I. K. A. S., & Aprianto, N. G. (2025). The Influence of Norms, Environmental Attitudes, and Perceived Behavioral Control on Plastic Bag Use: A Behavioral-Economic Perspective. Journal of Applied Business, Taxation and Economics Research, 5(2), 329–347. https://doi.org/10.54408/jabter.v5i2.523