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PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
1
ReportbyColinAshton-Graham,ConsultingBehaviouralEconomist,fortheBoomerangAlliance
C o l i n A s h t o n - G r a h a m – B e h a v i o u r a l E c o n o m i s t P O B o x 1 0 9 9 D E N M A R K W A 6 3 3 3 E : c o l i n a s h t o n g r a h a m @ i i n e t . n e t . a u
SurveyReport:WesternAustralianHouseholdsViewsonPlasticWaste2017
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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Contents
TableofContentsContents........................................................................................................................................................21 Executivesummary...........................................................................................................................32 Background.........................................................................................................................................42.1 Context..................................................................................................................................................42.2 Objectives..............................................................................................................................................42.3 Purposeofthisreport...........................................................................................................................5
3 Methodology........................................................................................................................................53.1 Evaluationdesign..................................................................................................................................53.2 Samplemanagement............................................................................................................................63.3 Dataanalysis..........................................................................................................................................7
4 KeyFindings........................................................................................................................................84.1 Communityconcern(abouttheimpactsofplastics).............................................................................84.2 Consumerbehaviours...........................................................................................................................9
4.2.1 Avoidingplastics..........................................................................................................................104.2.2 Barrierstoreusablebags.............................................................................................................114.2.3 Preferenceforalternativestobagsasbinliners.........................................................................11
4.3 Policysupport......................................................................................................................................134.3.1 Responsetoemergingpolicyissues.............................................................................................134.3.2 Changeinresponsetoinformationonthepropertiesofplastics................................................14
5 Conclusions.......................................................................................................................................16A. Appendix–SurveyInstrument..................................................................................................17B. Appendix–Communityresponsebygeographicalregion...............................................22C. Appendix–Communityresponsebyagegroup...................................................................26
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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1 ExecutivesummaryThisreportpresentstheresultsofasurveyofarandomsampleoftheWesternAustralianadultpopulation(consistingof402residentsofallages,householdtypesandemploymentstatusacrossRegional and Metropolitan areas). The survey was designed to measure community concernregarding the environmental issues associated with plastics, to report choices that consumersmake in response to these concerns and to gauge support for the regulation of some plasticproducts.
Inadditiontoprovidingasnapshotofcommunityviewsandbehaviours, thesurveyusedatest-inform-retest approach to measure community response to the complex issues surroundingbiodegradableandcompostableplasticbags.
Thesurveywasconductedthroughtelephoneinterviews,withthetargetforavalidsampleof400respondentsbeingexceeded.
Thesurveyfoundthatthat:• Morethan90%ofthecommunityisconcernedabouttheenvironmentalissuesassociated
withplasticwaste(i.e.theimpactsonoceans,litter,wildlife,recyclingandlandfill)• Takingresponsibilityforavoidingtheconsumptionofplastics(e.g.refusingplasticshopping
bags, avoiding pre-packed produce and avoiding bottledwater) is practiced (‘always’ or‘mostofthetime’)bymorethan50%ofconsumers
• 65%ofconsumersexperiencebarrierstoavoidinglightweightplasticbags(e.g.forgettingtheirreusablebagsorpurchasingtoomanyitems)
• The vastmajority ofWestern Australians (84%) support a ban on lightweight single-useplasticbags,withjust7%opposedtosuchameasure
• Supportforincludingbiodegradableandcompostablebagsinthebanincreased,from69%to85%wheninformedthatthesebagtypesremainamarinepollutionandlandfillproblem(bynotbreakingdownrapidly)
• Support for bans on lightweight, biodegradable and compostable single-use plastic bagswasstrongacrossallregionsofWAandallagegroups.
Thesurveyalsoprovidesinsightsintoovercomingthebarrierstousingalternativestolightweightsingle-useplasticbagsandforsolutionstosecondaryusessuchashouseholdbinliners.
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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2 Background2.1 ContextTheWesternAustralianGovernment announced its intention to implement a banon single-useplasticbagsfrom1July2018. Priortomakingadeterminationonthescopeofthebanandthepathwaytotheadoptionofalternativestosingle-useplasticbags,theDepartmentofWaterandEnvironmentalRegulation(DWER)isreleasingaDiscussionPaperontheissue.DWERengagedtheBoomerangAllianceto:
• Providetechnicaladviceontheenvironmental issuesassociatedwithsingle-usebagsandpotentialalternatives
• Assistwithstakeholderconsultation• Conductformativeresearchintocommunityperceptionsofplasticwasteandthebarriers
andbenefitsofchangingfromsingle-useplasticbagstoalternatives• DevelopaCommunityEducationPlantofacilitatethetransitiontothefinalformoftheban
onsingle-useplasticbags.In November 2017, the Boomerang Alliance engaged Colin Ashton-Graham, BehaviouralEconomist,toconductasurveyofcommunityperceptionsandbehavioursaroundplasticwaste.
2.2 ObjectivesTheCommunitySurveyaimsto:
• Gather information froma representative sampleof theWesternAustralian community,consistingofa:
o randomsampleofadultso statisticallyrobustsampleof400respondents(providinganerrormarginof+/-4.9%
at95%confidencelevel)o representativeofMetropolitan(n=250)andRegionalresidents(n=150)o representativeofalladultagegroups,householdstructuresandemploymentstatus
• Providemeasuresof:o strengthofcommunityconcernfortheenvironmentalandhealthissuesassociated
withplasticso currentconsumerchoicesinavoiding(choosingalternativesto)plasticproductso strengthof community support forpolicy and regulatorymeasures to reduce the
consumptionand/orlitteringofplasticso consumerbarrierstotheuptakeofreusableshoppingbagso consumer preferences for alternatives to using shopping bags as household bin
liners• Testcommunityresponsetoemergingevidencethatbiodegradableandcompostablebags
fail to break down quickly enough to protect themarine environment or to compost inlandfillconditions
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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These requirements were delivered through a telephone survey, using a database of publiclyavailable landline andmobile telephone numbers (Sample Pages). The benefits of a telephonesurveymethodologyare:
• Thesurveyfieldworkeffortcanbestructured,bydayoftheweekandtimeofday,toreachalldemographicgroups
• Screeningquestionscanbeusedtoavoidover-representationofeasytoreachgroups(e.g.olderpersons)
• Highresponseratescanbeachieved,reducingthelikelihoodofabias(difference)amongstpersonsmoreinclinedtoself-completesurveys
• Trainedinterviewerscancodeunpromptedresponses,thusreducingthedegreetowhichsurveyresponseoptionsinfluencerespondents
2.3 PurposeofthisreportThisreportpresentstheresultsofthePlasticandWasteRecyclingSurveythatwasconductedinNovember2017toprovide:
• Asnapshotofcommunityconcernregardingtheenvironmentalimpactsofplastics• Measuresofconsumerchoicesregardingplasticproductsandalternatives• Strengthofcommunitysupportfortheregulationofarangeofplasticproducts• Barrierstotheadoptionofalternativestolightweightplasticshoppingbags
The results of the survey will inform the process to develop regulation of lightweight plasticshoppingbagsandprovideabenchmarkforfuturetrackingofcommunityawareness,behaviourandsentimentonotherplasticproducts.
3 Methodology3.1 EvaluationdesignThe survey was designed to achieve responses from a representative sample of the WesternAustralianadultpopulation,andhencetoprovideareliablemeasureofcommunityconcernandbehaviours.Thequestionnaire(seeAppendix1)includedmeasuresof:
• concern(aboutenvironmentalimpacts)• behaviours(consumerchoices)• support(forpolicyandregulatoryresponses)• response(toinformationonbiodegradableandcompostablebags)• barriers(totheadoptionofalternativestosingle-usebags)• stated preference (willingness to adopt alternatives to plastic bags for lining household
bins)• demographics
Manyofthesemeasureswerestructured(e.g.multiple-choiceorscalerating)toobtainthebestmeasureof quality issues. Measuresof awarenesswereunprompted, to avoid leadingbias. Atargetwassettosecure400surveyresponses,sufficienttoprovidemeasuresaccurateto+/-4.9%with95%confidencethattheresultsareaccurateandrepeatable.
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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ThesurveywasdeployedbytelephoningarandomsampleoftheWApopulationandaskingfortheadultpersoninthehouseholdwhosebirthdaycomesupnext(thisbeingtorandomisetheageandgenderoftherespondentwithinreachhouseholdreached). Landlineandmobiletelephonenumberswereincludedtoensurethatthesamplewasrepresentativeoftheadultpopulation.
3.2 SamplemanagementThe survey commenced on 16November 2017 and closed on 21November, having conductedsurveysacrossweekdayandweekenddaytimeandevenings.Thesamplewasstructuredfrom4,192WApersons,including300to400personsineachoffourRegionsand2600personsinthePerthMetropolitanregion.Thissampleresultedin250numbersthatweredisconnected/wrong/mobiles no longer resident ofWAandhence the valid samplewas3,942members.Fromthisvalidsample:
• 1,080refusedtotakethesurvey(27%)• 2,063werenotcontactedpriortoclosingthesurvey(53%)• 799agreedtotakethesurvey(20%),ofthese:
o 57requestedacallback,butwerenotrequiredtofillthesurveyquotao 340werescreenedoutbecausetheirquota(byageorregion)wasfullo 402completedthesurvey
Thegeographicalrepresentationofresponseswas:
• 251fromPerthMetropolitan(PostCodes60xxand61xx)• 40fromPilbara,KimberleyandNorthGascoyne(PostCode67xx)• 41fromMidWest(PostCodes65xxand66xx)• 40fromtheSouthWest(postCodes62xxand63xx)• 30fromGoldfields,Esperance(PostCode64xx)
ThedemographicresponseswerebroadlyrepresentativeoftheWAadultpopulationexceptforadegreeofunder-representationofyoungerpersons (age18 to29years),personsnotemployed(retired,homeduties,seekingwork)andmales.ThedemographicsofthesurveyarecomparedtothedemographicsofWesternAustralia (2016Censusdata) in Figure1below. The surveybias,towards females, isconsideredappropriate for thetaskofmeasuringconsumerresponsetothebanningof lightweight single-usebags. This ‘fit for purpose’ sample is validatedby the finding(Figure2,below)that94%ofrespondentsengageingroceryshoppingweeklyormorefrequently.
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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Figure1:SurveyresponsesamplecomparedtoWAdemographics
Surveygroup
WAABSdata
Age(%ofadultpopn): - 18to29years 11.6% 21.2%- 30to49years 32.0% 37.3%- 50to64years 42.21% 23.3%
- 65andolder 14.5% 18.1%Gender:
- Male 37.6% 50%- Female 62.4% 50%
Householdstructure: - Couplenochildrenat
home30.9% 28.5%
- Familywithchildren 44.9% 44.3%- Sharehouse 4.2% 3.8%- Singleoccupant 20.0% 23.5%
Employmentstatus: - Full-timeemployed 44.0% 37.5%- Part-timeemployed 26.9% 19.7%- Notemployed 29.21% 42.8%
3.3 DataanalysisThe data has been presented in graph or table format for the whole sample of 402 personsrepresentative of the Western Australian adult population. The headline measures are alsopresentedintables(appendixBandC)brokendownbygeographicalregionandagegroup.Thesurveysamplearedirectlyinvolvedingroceryshopping,with94%doingtheshopping‘aboutweekly’ormoreoften.
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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Figure2:FrequencyofgroceryshoppingtripsbyWAadults
4 KeyFindingsThe survey responses are summarised under the themes of ‘Community concern’, ‘Consumerbehaviours’and‘Policysupport’.
4.1 Communityconcern(abouttheimpactsofplastics)Thesurveymeasuredthestrengthofrespondentsconcernforeachofsixissueswithplastics.Theresponsescalerangedfrom‘Veryconcerned’to‘Notatallconcerned’.Fromapolicyperspective,itisusefultonotetheextentofhighconcern(thetoptworesponseoptions)andthenetmeasureof concernacross the community (being the top two responseoptionsminus thebottom two).Wherethesemeasuresaresimilar,thereisastrongcommunityconsensusontheimportanceofanissue.Wherethemeasureofnetconcerndiffersfromthe‘toptwo’measure,thecommunityismoredividedovertheissue.Figure 3 shows that there is very strong and united concern across the community regardingplasticpollutionofwaterways,harmtowildlifeandpoorrecyclingandlandfilloutcomes.Thereisalso strong community concern,with divided opinion from a smallminority of the community,regardingthegreenhouseimpactsofplasticproductionandtheriskstohumanhealth.
8%
37%49%
4% 2%
Almostdaily
Afewtimesaweek
Aboutweekly
Aboutmonthly
Almostnever
Q5.Howfrequentlydoyou(personally)shopforgroceries?(n=402)
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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Figure3:Strengthofcommunityconcernregardingplasticproductsandwaste
4.2 ConsumerbehavioursIn recent years there has been a trend towards consumers choosing alternatives to single-useplasticbagsatthegrocerycheckout.TherehasalsobeenstronggrowthinparticipationinPlasticFree July and the beginnings of a mainstream awareness of the waste associated with plasticbottles,strawsandtakeawaycoffeecups.This survey measures the degree to which avoiding common plastic products is becomingnormalised and the consistency of consumers in utilising alternatives to plastics. Of particularinterest are the barriers to adoption of the alternatives to single-use plastic bags. The surveyexplores the barriers to reusable bags and thewillingness of consumers to find alternatives torepurposingsingle-usebagsashouseholdbinliners.
60
55.7
70.9
62.4
76.9
75.1
29.6
28.6
24.1
30.1
20.9
22.1
2.2
4
0.5
2.5
0
0
5
9.5
3.5
3.7
1.5
2
3.2
2.2
1
1.2
0.7
0.7
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Manyplasticsareharmfultohumanhealth
Plasticsuseoilresourcesandcontributetoglobalwarming
Plasticsdon'tcompostorbreakdowninlandfill
Manyplasticscannotberecycled
Plasticlitterisharmingourwildlife
Plasticsenduppollutingourwaterwaysandocean
Veryconcerned Somewhatconcerned Can'tsay
Notveryconcerned Notatallconcerned
Strengthofconcern(top2):+97.3
+97.8
+92.5
+95.0
+84.3+89.6
Nettconcern(top2minusbottom2):+94.5
+95.5+87.6+90.5
+72.6+81.3
Q1Howconcernedareyouabouteachofthefollowingissueswithsingle-useplastics?(n=402)
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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4.2.1 AvoidingplasticsMaking the choice to avoid plastic packaging is a ‘repeat behaviour’ rather than a once onlydecision.Thebestmeasureofrepeatbehavioursistotracktheconsistencywithwhichconsumerssubstituteaplasticfreesolution.Figure4:Consumerconsistencyinavoidingplasticproducts
TheresultsshowthatthevastmajorityofWesternAustraliansatleast‘sometimes’engageinchoiceswhichavoidplastics.Somebehaviourscanbeavoidedaltogether,suchas10%ofthepopulationneverbuyingcafédrinks.Otherbehavioursarewellnormalised,forexamplearound50%ofthecommunity‘almostalways’avoidingbottledwaterorprepackedproduce.Choosingtoavoidprepackedproducehasfewbarriersbecausemostsupermarketsofferfreshproducewiththepackedorlooseoptionsbothontheshelves.
Itisinterestingtoseethatrefusingplasticshoppingbagshasoneofthelowest‘almostalways’scores,showingthatthereisagapbetweentheintention(participatinginthebehaviouratleastsometimes)andtheactualbehaviour.Nudgestrategiescouldbeeffectiveinclosingthisgap.
25.9
31.3
38.3
53
47.3
31.6
10
13.4
12.4
26.4
20.4
22.6
10.2
16.2
13.4
12.9
13.2
22.6
7.2
8.7
8.7
3.7
6.5
6.2
30.6
20.1
16.4
3.5
10.4
15.9
16.2
10.2
10.7
0.5
2.2
1
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Lookforpersonalcareproducts(shampoos,toothpasteetc)thatdon'tcontainmicrobeads
Refusetakewaycoffeecups(bytakingyourownorsittingdowninthecafé)
Refusestrawswithcaféortakeawaydrinks
Avoidprepackedfruitandvegetables(choosinglooseproduce)
Avoidbuyingbottledwater(e.g.bytakingareusablebottle)
Refuseplasticshoppingbags(e.g.byusingyourownbag)
Almostalways Mostofthetime Sometimes Rarely Almostnever Notapplicable/notpossible
Q2Foreachofthechoicesbelow,pleasetellushowconsistentlyyouchoosealternativestosingle-useplastics?(n=402)
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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It isalsointerestingtoseethataround16%ofthecommunity‘almostnever’refuseplasticshoppingbags. Regulating to removebagsas anoption is aneffective strategy to constrain the choicesof aminorityofconsumers.
4.2.2 BarrierstoreusablebagsGiven the complexity of the behaviours required to avoid single use plastic shopping bags, thesurveyexploredthebarriersto(consistent)action.Figure5:Barrierstoalwaysusingareusablebag(%ofrespondents)
Theseresponsesshowthatabout65%ofconsumersdonot,atleastsomeofthetime,usetheirownbagsforthegroceryshopping.Thesepeoplehave,onaverage,1.5issuesorreasonscausingthemtoneedtoacceptasingle-usebagatthecheckout. Themaincauseforneedingtoacceptsingle use bags comes down to not planning the shopping trip. A minority, around 7% ofconsumers make a more deliberate choice to consume single-use bags. Top amongst thesedeliberatechoicesistoreusethelightweightbagasabinlinerathome.
4.2.3 PreferenceforalternativestobagsasbinlinersConsistentwiththefindingthataround70%ofconsumersacceptlightweightplasticbagsatleastsomeofthetime,72%reportusingthesebagstolinethekitchenbin.
35.1
46.0
10.4
6.7
6.7
5.2
1.7
12.7
0.5
Nothing,Ialwaystakemyownbags
Iforgetmyownbags
WhenIhadnotplannedtoshopatall
IbuymorethanIhadplanned
Ineedthebagstouseasbinliners
Habit,Ialwaysuseplasticbags
I'mnotconcernedaboutplasticbags
Other(e.g.costorfootprintofalternative…
Notapplicable,Inevergroceryshop
Q6Whatpreventsyoufromtakingyourownreusablebagsforthegroceryshopping?(n=402)
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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Figure6:Prevalenceofreusinglightweightplasticbags
The 291 respondents that reported using lightweight bags as bin linerswere then askedwhichalternative theywould adopt if lightweight bagswerebanned. Theynominated1.6 alternativesolutionsperhousehold.Figure7:Potentialalternativestousinglightweightbagsasbinliners(%ofrespondents)
50.2
36.4
33.3
18.9
14.8
8.2
Buyplasticbinbags
Storefoodscrapsinatubuntilbindayorcomposting
Washthebinoutregularly
Linethebinwithnewspaper
Putfoodscrapsinthefreezeruntilbinday
Other(e.g.usethewheeliebin,feedchooks)
72%
28%
Yes No
Q7.1.Doyoureuseyourplasticshoppingbagstolineyourkitchenbin?n=402
Q7.2Iflightweightplasticbagsweretobebanned,whichofthesealternativeswouldyouusetokeepyourkitchenbinclean??(n=291currentlyusinglightweightbagsasbinliners)
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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Thepropensity of respondents tonominate alternatives tousing lightweight plastic bags as binliners, suggests that the community will adapt quickly to a single-use plastic bag ban. This isconsistentwithreportsfromotherjurisdictionswherethepurchasingofbinlinerbagsincreasedinitially,inresponsetoasingle-usebagban,andthendeclined.
4.3 PolicysupportInthecontextofthemultitudeofissueswithplasticproductsandthenumberofplasticproductsinregularuse,thesurveytestedthestrengthofcommunitysupportforsevenpolicyresponses.
4.3.1 Responsetoemergingpolicyissues
Similartotheearliermeasureofstrengthofconcernforenvironmentalissues,policysupport(oropposition)wasmeasuredonascaleresponse.Theproportionofthepopulationinfavourofeachpolicy initiative and the net support (being the support forminus the opposition to the policyinitiative)areusefulmeasurestoguidepolicymaking.There isstrongsupport foreachofthepolicymeasurestested,withverystrongsupport forthecontainerdeposit schemeand thebanon lightweightplasticbags. Neitherof these twopolicymeasuresattractedmuchopposition,resultinginverystrongnettsupport.Comparedtothelevelofsupportforabanonlightweightplasticbags,thesupportforextendingthebantobiodegradableandcompostablebagswaslowerat69%supportand52%netsupport(52%nett support translates into a two-thirdsmajority), although support convergedwhen theimpactsofbiodegradableandcompostablebagswasexplained;discussedat4.3.2below.
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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Figure8:Communitysupportforpolicyandregulationtoreduceplasticwaste
4.3.2 Changeinresponsetoinformationonthepropertiesofplastics
It is likely thatmany respondentswere not aware that biodegradable and compostable plasticbagsdonotbreakdownquicklyinmarineorterrestrialenvironments,orinlandfill(theytypicallyrequire industrial composting). Having measured the policy support in the absence of thisrelevant information, respondents were informed of the issues and asked to rate the policyresponseagain.
45.3
38.6
53.2
66.9
40.3
37.1
57.7
26.4
28.1
31.6
25.6
30.1
32.1
25.9
15.9
21.1
9.5
4.2
14.7
13.4
9
3
7.7
4
2.5
10.4
12.7
5.2
1
1.5
1.2
0.7
4
4.2
2.2
8.5
3
0.5
0
0.5
0.5
0
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Abanonpersonalcareproducts(shampoos,toothpasteetc)that
containmicrobeads
Abanondeliberatereleasingofheliumpartyballoons
Supplierstoberesponsibleforrecyclingpackaging
A10centsrefundoneachplasticbottlereturnedforrecycling
Abanonallplasticbags
Abanonlightweightplasticandbiodegradable/compostablebags
(asproposedinQLD)
Abanonlightweightplasticbags(asinSA,NT,ACTandTAS)
Stronglysupport Support Neutral
Oppose Stronglyoppose Don'tknow
Strengthofsupport(top2):+83.6+69.2
+70.4
+92.5
+84.8
+66.7
+71.6
Nettsupport(top2minusbottom2):+76.1+52.2+56.0
+89.3
+79.6+57.5
+67.7
Q3Howstronglydoyousupportoropposeeachofthefollowingmethodstoreduceplasticpollution?(n=402)
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
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Figure9:Changeinsupportforabanonbiodegradableandcompostablebags,followingpresentationoftheissues(comparedtosupportforabanonlightweightplasticbagsonly)
Providinginformationonthelimitationsofbiodegradableandcompostablebagshastheeffectofshiftingcommunitysupportforabanonthesebagtypestothesamelevelofsupportasabanonstandard lightweight bags. Providing the information changed the nett support (i.e.% supportminus%oppose)forabanonbiodegradableandcompostablelightweightplasticbagsfrom+52.2to+78.4.
0 0.5 0.52.2 4.2 15.2
12.7
5.5
9
13.4
8.2
25.9
32.1
26.1
57.7
37.1
58.7
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Supportforabanonlightweightbags(ONLY)
Supportforextendingthebantobio/compostable
bags(WITHOUTinformation)
Supportforextendingthebantobio/compostablebags(WITHinformation)
Stronglysupport
Support
Neutral
Oppose
Stronglyoppose
Don'tknow
Q4Studieshaveshownthatbiodegradableandcompostablebagsdon’tbreakdownproperlyinlandfillorinwaterways.Consideringthisfinding,howstronglydoyousupportoroppose?(n=402)
Nettsupport(top2minusbottom2):
+52.2
Nettsupport(top2minusbottom2):
+78.4
WithInfo
Nettsupport(top2minusbottom2):
+76.1
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
16
5 ConclusionsThe community in Western Australia is very concerned about the impacts of plastics on theenvironment. This concern can be used to frame communications in support of a ban onlightweight single-use plastic bags and on the practical behaviour changes that householdswillneedtomakeinadaptingtotheban.Thereissomedisconnectbetweentheconcernsofthecommunityandindividualactiontoavoidtheconsumption,disposalandlitteringofplastics.Suchdisconnectsarecommonbecauseactionsaredrivenbyprevailingbehaviouralnorms,ratherthanbyattitudes.The attitude-behaviour disconnect, combined with the very strong community support forregulatoractionwillmakeabanonlightweightsingle-useplasticbagseffectiveanddurable.Thecommunityresponseto informationontheproblemswithbiodegradableandcompostablebagsshowsthatinclusionofthesebagtypesinthebanwillbewidelyaccepted.ThecommunityviewonplasticbagavoidanceisverysimilarinstrengthtocommunitysupportofWaterwise messages in Western Australia. There are only very small variations in attitudes,behavioursandpolicysupportacrosstheregionsofWesternAustraliaandacrossagegroups.Themajor communications challengeswith the introduction of a ban on lightweight single-useplastic bags, including biodegradable and compostable types, are to assist consumers toremembertheirreusablebagsandtobeawareofthealternatives(boxesorpurchaseofdurablebags)atthecheckout.Secondary use issues, such as households repurposing lightweight shopping bags as bin liners,appearseasilyresolvedthroughnormingthevarietyofsolutionsthatarealreadybeingadoptedbyhouseholds.
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
17
A. Appendix–SurveyInstrument
BoomerangAlliance–PlasticWasteandRecyclingSurvey
Hello,I’m<name>callingfromThinkfieldonbehalfoftheBoomerangAlliance.WearedevelopingresourcestohelpWAhouseholdstoAvoid,Reduce,ReuseandRecycleplastics.Todothisweneedyourviewsonhowweuseanddisposeofcommon“single-use”plastics.Thesurveywilltakeabout6minutes.
CanIspeaktothepersoninthehouseholdwhoisover18yearsoldandwhosebirthdayisnext?[REPEATINTROIFNEWRESPONDENTCOMEONTHELINE]Ifyouhaveafewminuteswecanrunthroughthesurveynow.[NOTETOINTERVIEWER:IftherespondentaskswhotheBoomerangAllianceis,theyareanotforprofitassociationofcommunityandconservationgroupsworkingtoreduceplasticpollution.NopersonalinformationwillbeprovidedfromthesurveytoBoomerangAlliance]OK=proceedNOTHANKS[AVOID]=closeNOTIMENOW=arrangecallbackiftherespondentasksforthat: Name_______________________ BestNumber_________________ Bestday/time________________
Firstly,somequestionsaboutyourhousehold.
A.Whatisthepostcodeforthesuburbyoulivein?• ____________________• Don’tknow
Ifpostcode‘Don’tknow’,recordhomesuburb______________________ B.Whatage-groupareyouin?
• 18-19
• 20-24
• 25-29
• 30-34
• 35-39
• 40-44
• 45-49
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
18
• 50-54
• 55-59
• 60-64
• 65andover
• Rathernotsay[AVOID]
C.Recordgender[DONOTREADOUT]
• Male
• Female
[CHECKQUOTASANDCLOSEIFQUOTAISFULL]
Now,somequestionsaboutyourviewsonplasticwaste,recyclingandtheenvironment.
1.Howconcernedareyouabouteachofthefollowingissueswithsingle-useplastics:
ISSUE Veryconcerned
Somewhatconcerned
Notveryconcerned
Notatallconcerned
Can’tsay/don’tknow
Plasticsenduppollutingourwaterwaysandocean
Plasticlitterisharmingourwildlife Manyplasticscannotberecycled Plasticsdon’tcompostorbreakdowninlandfill
Plasticsuseoilresourcesandcontributetoglobalwarming
Manyplasticsareharmfultohumanhealth
PlasticWasteSurveyofWAHouseholds2017
19
2.Foreachofthechoicesbelow,pleasetellushowconsistentlyyouchoosealternativestosingle-useplastics:ACTION Almost
alwaysMostofthetime
Sometimes
Rarely Almostnever
Other:(Notapplicable/notpossible/don’tknow)
Refuseplasticshoppingbags(e.g.byusingyourownbag)
Avoidbuyingbottledwater(e.g.bytakingareusablebottle)
Avoidpre-packedfruitandvegetables(choosinglooseproduce)
Refusestrawswithcaféortake-awaydrinks
Refusetake-awaycoffeecups(bytakingyourownorsittingdowninthecafé)
Lookforpersonalcareproducts(bodywash,toothpasteetc.)thatdon’tcontainplasticmicrobeads
3.Howstronglydoyousupportoropposeeachofthefollowingmethodstoreduceplasticpollution?ACTION Strongly
supportSupport Neutral Oppose Strongly
opposeDon’tknow[AVOID]
Abanonlightweightplasticbags(similartothebansinSouthAustralia,NorthernTerritory,ACTandTasmania)
Abanonlightweightplasticandbiodegradable/compostablebags(similartotheproposedbaninQueensland)
Abanonallplasticbags A10centsrefundoneachplasticbottlereturnedforrecycling
Supplierstoberesponsibleforrecyclingpackaging
Abanondeliberatereleasingofheliumpartyballoons
Abanonpersonalcareproducts(bodywash,toothpasteetc.)thatcontainplasticmicrobeads
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4.Studieshaveshownthatbiodegradableandcompostablebagsdon’tbreakdownproperlyinlandfillorinwaterways.Consideringthisfinding,howstronglydoyousupportoroppose?ACTION Strongly
supportSupport Neutral Oppose Strongly
opposeDon’tknow[AVOID]
Abanonlightweightplasticandbiodegradable/compostablebags
5.Howfrequentlydoyou(personally)shopforgroceries?
• Almostdaily
• Afewtimesaweek
• Aboutweekly
• Aboutmonthly
• Almostnever
6.Whatpreventsyoufromtakingyourownreusablebagsforthegroceryshopping?[DONOTPROMPT,ACCEPTMULTIPLE]
• Nothing,IALWAYStakemyownbags
• Iforgetmyownbags
• IbuymorethanIhadplanned
• WhenIhadnotplannedtoshopatall
• Ineedthebagstouseasbinliners
• Habit,Ialwaysuseplasticbags
• I’mnotconcernedaboutplasticbags
• Other,specify_____________________________
• Notapplicable/Inevergroceryshop
7.1Doyoureuseplasticshoppingbagstolineyourkitchenbin?
• Yes
• No
[IF6.1=No,goto7]7.2Iflightweightplasticbagsweretobebanned,whichofthesealternativeswouldyouusetokeepyourkitchenbinclean?[ACCEPTMULTIPLE]
• Storefoodscrapsinareusabletubuntilbindayorcomposting
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• Putfoodscrapsintothefreezeruntilbinday
• Linethebinwithnewspaper
• Washthebinoutregularly(noliner)
• Buyplasticbinbags
• Other,specify__________________
Finally,acoupleofquestionsaboutyourhousehold.
8.Whichofthefollowingbestdescribesyourhousehold
• Singleoccupant
• Couplewithnochildrenathome
• Familywithchildrenathome
• Sharehouse
• Other,specify____________________-
9.Areyoucurrentlyinpaidemploymentatall,part-timeorfull-time
• Notatall
• Parttime
• Fulltime(35hrsaweekormore)
• Rathernotsay[AVOID]
Thankyouforyourhelp.Our Privacy Act statement is: As this ismarket research, it is carried out in compliancewith the Privacy Act and theinformationyouprovidedwillbeusedforresearchpurposesonly. UnderthePrivacyActyouhavetherighttorequestaccesstotheinformationyouhaveprovideduntilthistime. Ifyouhaveanyqueries,youcancalltheMarketResearchSociety’sfreeSurveyLineon1300364830.
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B. Appendix–Communityresponsebygeographicalregion
Metro South West
Goldfield Esperance
Mid West
Kimberly Pilbara
All Areas
Q1_1 Plastics end up polluting our waterways and ocean
Very concerned 73% 78% 80% 78% 78% 75%
Somewhat concerned 24% 20% 17% 17% 20% 22%
Not very concerned 2% 0% 0% 5% 3% 2%
Not at all concerned 0% 3% 3% 0% 0% 1%
Can’t say/ don’t know 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Q1_2 Plastic litter is harming our wildlife
Very concerned 76% 85% 73% 78% 78% 77%
Somewhat concerned 22% 13% 27% 17% 20% 21%
Not very concerned 2% 0% 0% 2% 0% 1%
Not at all concerned 0% 3% 0% 2% 3% 1%
Can’t say/ don’t know 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Q1_3 Many plastics cannot be recycled
Very concerned 57% 78% 77% 61% 70% 62%
Somewhat concerned 35% 18% 13% 29% 28% 30%
Not very concerned 4% 0% 7% 7% 3% 4%
Not at all concerned 2% 3% 0% 0% 0% 1%
Can’t say/ don’t know 3% 3% 3% 2% 0% 2%
Q1_4 Plastics don’t compost or breakdown in landfill
Very concerned 69% 78% 67% 76% 75% 71%
Somewhat concerned 26% 23% 27% 20% 18% 24%
Not very concerned 4% 0% 3% 5% 5% 3%
Not at all concerned 1% 0% 0% 0% 3% 1%
Can’t say/ don’t know 0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 0%
Q1_5 Plastics use oil resources and contribute to global warming
Very concerned 56% 55% 53% 49% 63% 56%
Somewhat concerned 29% 30% 23% 37% 18% 29%
Not very concerned 10% 5% 10% 5% 15% 9%
Not at all concerned 2% 0% 3% 2% 3% 2%
Can’t say/ don’t know 2% 10% 10% 7% 3% 4%
Q1_6 Many plastics are harmful to human health
Very concerned 58% 63% 63% 63% 65% 60%
Somewhat concerned 31% 28% 30% 27% 23% 30%
Not very concerned 6% 5% 0% 2% 8% 5%
Not at all concerned 3% 3% 0% 5% 5% 3%
Can’t say/ don’t know 2% 3% 7% 2% 0% 2%
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Metro South West
Goldfield Esperanc
e
Mid West
Kimberly Pilbara
All Areas
Q2_1 Refuse plastic shopping bags (e.g. by using your own bag)
Almost always 31% 23% 37% 46% 25% 32%
Most of the time 23% 30% 33% 15% 15% 23%
Sometimes 24% 28% 7% 15% 33% 23%
Rarely 6% 8% 7% 5% 5% 6%
Almost never 16% 13% 17% 20% 15% 16%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
0% 0% 0% 0% 8% 1%
Q2_2 Avoid buying bottled water (e.g. by taking a reusable bottle)
Almost always 48% 55% 40% 54% 35% 47%
Most of the time 22% 15% 20% 22% 15% 20%
Sometimes 16% 8% 10% 0% 18% 13%
Rarely 5% 5% 10% 5% 15% 6%
Almost never 8% 13% 13% 15% 15% 10%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
1% 5% 7% 5% 3% 2%
Q2_3 Avoid prepacked fruit and vegetables (choosing loose produce)
Almost always 51% 45% 47% 66% 63% 53%
Most of the time 27% 33% 27% 24% 20% 26%
Sometimes 13% 18% 17% 5% 13% 13%
Rarely 5% 3% 7% 0% 0% 4%
Almost never 4% 3% 3% 5% 3% 3%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 0%
Q2_4 Refuse straws with café or takeaway drinks
Almost always 38% 40% 30% 41% 40% 38%
Most of the time 13% 13% 10% 10% 15% 12%
Sometimes 16% 8% 17% 7% 8% 13%
Rarely 8% 10% 10% 10% 13% 9%
Almost never 18% 13% 13% 12% 20% 16%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
8% 18% 20% 20% 5% 11%
Q2_5 Refuse takeaway coffee cups (by taking your own or sitting down in the café)
Almost always 33% 38% 37% 29% 15% 31%
Most of the time 12% 23% 7% 17% 18% 13%
Sometimes 17% 13% 3% 17% 23% 16%
Rarely 10% 8% 10% 5% 3% 9%
Almost never 22% 8% 17% 17% 30% 20%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
7% 13% 27% 15% 13% 10%
Q2_6 Look for personal care products (shampoos, toothpaste etc.) that don’t contain plastic microbeads
Almost always 27% 28% 10% 24% 28% 26%
Most of the time 10% 13% 13% 7% 10% 10%
Sometimes 11% 3% 3% 17% 10% 10%
Rarely 6% 8% 17% 10% 3% 7%
Almost never 29% 30% 33% 24% 43% 31%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
16% 20% 23% 17% 8% 16%
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Metro South West
Goldfield Esperance
Mid West
Kimberly Pilbara
All Areas
Q3_1 A ban on lightweight plastic bags (similar to the bans in South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT and Tasmania)
Strongly support 57% 58% 63% 63% 55% 58%
Support 29% 30% 13% 15% 25% 26%
Neutral 9% 8% 7% 15% 8% 9% Oppose 4% 3% 13% 5% 13% 5%
Strongly oppose 2% 3% 3% 2% 0% 2% Don’t know [AVOID] 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Q3_2 A ban on lightweight plastic and biodegradable/compostable bags (similar to the proposed ban in Queensland)
Strongly support 34% 33% 57% 46% 38% 37%
Support 34% 40% 20% 22% 33% 32% Neutral 17% 8% 3% 10% 10% 13% Oppose 10% 15% 13% 20% 18% 13% Strongly oppose 4% 5% 7% 2% 3% 4%
Don’t know [AVOID] 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Q3_3 A ban on all plastic bags Strongly support 38% 43% 57% 39% 40% 40%
Support 30% 25% 23% 34% 38% 30%
Neutral 16% 18% 10% 15% 5% 15%
Oppose 11% 13% 3% 7% 13% 10%
Strongly oppose 4% 3% 7% 5% 5% 4%
Don’t know [AVOID] 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Q3_4 A 10 cents refund on each plastic bottle returned for recycling
Strongly support 64% 75% 80% 61% 75% 67%
Support 29% 20% 10% 27% 23% 26%
Neutral 5% 3% 0% 10% 0% 4%
Oppose 2% 3% 7% 2% 3% 2%
Strongly oppose 1% 0% 3% 0% 0% 1%
Don’t know [AVOID] 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Q3_5 Suppliers to be responsible for recycling packaging Strongly support 52% 55% 60% 46% 60% 53%
Support 35% 28% 23% 34% 20% 32%
Neutral 8% 13% 13% 10% 13% 9%
Oppose 4% 5% 3% 7% 3% 4%
Strongly oppose 2% 0% 0% 0% 3% 1%
Don’t know [AVOID] 0% 0% 0% 2% 3% 0%
Q3_6 A ban on deliberate releasing of helium party balloons Strongly support 36% 43% 43% 46% 40% 39%
Support 29% 28% 20% 29% 25% 28% Neutral 23% 20% 23% 12% 20% 21% Oppose 9% 3% 3% 5% 13% 8%
Strongly oppose 1% 0% 7% 2% 0% 1%
Don’t know [AVOID] 2% 8% 3% 5% 3% 3%
Q3_7 A ban on personal care products (shampoos, toothpaste etc.) that contain plastic microbeads
Strongly support 43% 63% 53% 32% 50% 45%
Support 27% 18% 23% 37% 23% 26% Neutral 19% 15% 10% 12% 8% 16%
Oppose 3% 0% 0% 5% 5% 3% Strongly oppose 1% 0% 3% 0% 3% 1% Don’t know [AVOID] 7% 5% 10% 15% 13% 8%
Q4_1 A ban on lightweight plastic and biodegradable/ compostable bags (With information)
Strongly support 59% 60% 67% 56% 50% 59%
Support 26% 28% 17% 24% 33% 26%
Neutral 8% 8% 7% 12% 8% 8%
Oppose 4% 5% 10% 5% 10% 5% Strongly oppose 1% 0% 0% 2% 0% 1%
Don’t know [AVOID] 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
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Metro South West
Goldfield Esperanc
e
Mid West
Kimberlry Pilbara
All Areas
Q5. How frequently do you (personally) shop for groceries?
Almost daily 10% 8% 3% 2% 5% 8%
A few times a week 36% 43% 33% 27% 50% 37% About weekly 48% 45% 60% 59% 38% 49% About monthly 3% 3% 3% 10% 5% 4% Almost never 3% 3% 0% 2% 3% 2% Q6_What prevents you from taking your own reusable bags for the grocery shopping?
Q6_1 Nothing, I ALWAYS take my own bags
30% 40% 57% 49% 30% 35%
Q6_2 I forget my own bags 49% 48% 37% 34% 43% 46%
Q6_3 I buy more than I had planned
6% 5% 7% 0% 18% 7%
Q6_4 When I had not planned to shop at all
12% 10% 10% 2% 13% 10%
Q6_5 I need the bags to use as bin liners
8% 10% 0% 5% 0% 7%
Q6_6 Habit, I always use plastic bags
6% 8% 0% 2% 5% 5%
Q6_7 I’m not concerned about plastic bags
1% 0% 7% 5% 0% 2%
Q6_8 Other, specify 15% 5% 10% 12% 8% 13%
Q6_9 Not applicable/ I never grocery shop
0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 0%
7.1 Do you reuse plastic shopping bags to line your kitchen bin?
Yes 71% 78% 70% 73% 78% 72%
No 29% 23% 30% 27% 23% 28%
Q7_If lightweight plastic bags were to be banned, which of these alternatives would you use to keep your kitchen bin clean?
Q7_2_1 Store food scraps in a reusable tub until bin day or composting
36% 45% 52% 27% 29% 36%
Q7_2_2 Put food scraps into the freezer until bin day
14% 26% 0% 10% 23% 15%
Q7_2_3 Line the bin with newspaper
19% 29% 33% 13% 6% 19%
Q7_2_4 Wash the bin out regularly (no liner)
30% 52% 43% 33% 26% 33%
Q7_2_5 Buy plastic bin bags
54% 48% 38% 37% 48% 50%
Q7_2_6 Other, specify 5% 6% 14% 23% 10% 8%
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C. Appendix–Communityresponsebyagegroup 18-34 35-54 55+ All
Ages Q1_1 Plastics end up polluting our waterways and ocean
Very concerned 59% 78% 79% 75%
Somewhat concerned 37% 20% 19% 22%
Not very concerned 3% 2% 1% 2%
Not at all concerned 1% 0% 1% 1%
Can’t say/ don’t know 0% 0% 0% 0%
Q1_2 Plastic litter is harming our wildlife Very concerned 72% 79% 77% 77%
Somewhat concerned 26% 19% 20% 21%
Not very concerned 1% 1% 2% 2%
Not at all concerned 0% 1% 1% 1%
Can’t say/ don’t know 0% 0% 0% 0%
Q1_3 Many plastics cannot be recycled Very concerned 41% 63% 70% 62%
Somewhat concerned 46% 32% 22% 30%
Not very concerned 9% 2% 3% 4%
Not at all concerned 0% 1% 2% 1%
Can’t say/ don’t know 4% 2% 2% 3%
Q1_4 Plastics don’t compost or breakdown in landfill
Very concerned 60% 70% 76% 71%
Somewhat concerned 32% 27% 19% 24%
Not very concerned 7% 2% 4% 4%
Not at all concerned 0% 1% 1% 1%
Can’t say/ don’t know 0% 1% 1% 1%
Q1_5 Plastics use oil resources and contribute to global warming
Very concerned 51% 61% 52% 56%
Somewhat concerned 32% 27% 29% 29%
Not very concerned 15% 9% 7% 9%
Not at all concerned 0% 2% 4% 2%
Can’t say/ don’t know 1% 1% 8% 4%
Q1_6 Many plastics are harmful to human health
Very concerned 50% 66% 58% 60%
Somewhat concerned 44% 25% 28% 30%
Not very concerned 4% 5% 5% 5%
Not at all concerned 1% 2% 5% 3%
Can’t say/ don’t know 0% 1% 4% 2%
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18-34 35-54 55+ All
Ages Q2_1 Refuse plastic shopping bags (e.g. by using your own bag)
Almost always 28% 31% 34% 32%
Most of the time 18% 24% 23% 23%
Sometimes 21% 26% 20% 23%
Rarely 9% 7% 4% 6%
Almost never 25% 11% 17% 16%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
0% 1% 1% 1%
Q2_2 Avoid buying bottled water (e.g. by taking a reusable bottle)
Almost always 41% 46% 50% 47%
Most of the time 25% 21% 19% 21%
Sometimes 16% 16% 9% 13%
Rarely 6% 8% 5% 7%
Almost never 12% 7% 13% 11%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
0% 1% 4% 2%
Q2_3 Avoid prepacked fruit and vegetables (choosing loose produce)
Almost always 54% 48% 57% 53%
Most of the time 26% 28% 25% 27%
Sometimes 7% 16% 12% 13%
Rarely 6% 5% 2% 4%
Almost never 4% 2% 4% 4%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
1% 1% 0% 1%
Q2_4 Refuse straws with café or takeaway drinks
Almost always 31% 37% 42% 38%
Most of the time 15% 16% 8% 13%
Sometimes 16% 19% 7% 14%
Rarely 9% 10% 7% 9%
Almost never 26% 13% 16% 17%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
3% 5% 20% 11%
Q2_5 Refuse takeaway coffee cups (by taking your own or sitting down in the café)
Almost always 22% 28% 38% 31%
Most of the time 12% 18% 10% 14%
Sometimes 22% 19% 11% 16%
Rarely 10% 8% 9% 9%
Almost never 29% 18% 19% 20%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
4% 9% 14% 10%
Q2_6 Look for personal care products (shampoos, toothpaste etc.) that don’t contain plastic microbeads
Almost always 26% 25% 26% 26%
Most of the time 13% 8% 11% 10%
Sometimes 10% 11% 10% 10%
Rarely 7% 10% 5% 7%
Almost never 32% 31% 30% 31%
Other: (Not applicable/ not possible/ don’t know)
10% 16% 19% 16%
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18-34 35-54 55+ All
Ages Q3_1 A ban on lightweight plastic bags (similar to the bans in South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT and Tasmania)
Strongly support 53% 57% 60% 58%
Support 24% 28% 24% 26% Neutral 16% 7% 8% 9% Oppose 6% 6% 4% 5% Strongly oppose 1% 2% 3% 2% Don’t know [AVOID] 0% 0% 0% 0% Q3_2 A ban on lightweight plastic and biodegradable/compostable bags (similar to the proposed ban in Queensland)
Strongly support 32% 36% 40% 37%
Support 29% 36% 30% 32% Neutral 26% 10% 11% 13% Oppose 7% 15% 13% 13% Strongly oppose 4% 2% 7% 4% Don’t know [AVOID] 0% 1% 1% 1% Q3_3 A ban on all plastic bags Strongly support 37% 38% 44% 40%
Support 31% 35% 26% 30% Neutral 24% 9% 16% 15% Oppose 7% 12% 10% 11% Strongly oppose 1% 5% 4% 4% Don’t know [AVOID] 0% 1% 0% 1% Q3_4 A 10 cents refund on each plastic bottle returned for recycling
Strongly support 69% 65% 68% 67%
Support 22% 30% 23% 26% Neutral 9% 2% 5% 4% Oppose 0% 2% 4% 3% Strongly oppose 0% 1% 1% 1% Don’t know [AVOID] 0% 0% 0% 0% Q3_5 Suppliers to be responsible for recycling packaging
Strongly support 50% 54% 53% 53%
Support 34% 34% 29% 32% Neutral 12% 7% 11% 10% Oppose 3% 3% 5% 4% Strongly oppose 1% 2% 1% 1% Don’t know [AVOID] 0% 0% 1% 1% Q3_6 A ban on deliberate releasing of helium party balloons
Strongly support 29% 38% 43% 38%
Support 19% 38% 23% 28% Neutral 41% 15% 19% 21% Oppose 9% 8% 7% 8% Strongly oppose 0% 1% 3% 2% Don’t know [AVOID] 1% 1% 5% 3% Q3_7 A ban on personal care products (shampoos, toothpaste etc.) that contain plastic microbeads
Strongly support 38% 46% 47% 45%
Support 35% 27% 22% 27% Neutral 24% 15% 14% 16% Oppose 0% 3% 4% 3% Strongly oppose 1% 1% 1% 1% Don’t know [AVOID] 1% 8% 11% 9% Q4_1 A ban on lightweight plastic and biodegradable/ compostable bags (With information)
Strongly support 44% 60% 63% 59%
Support 41% 25% 22% 26% Neutral 12% 8% 7% 8% Oppose 1% 6% 7% 6% Strongly oppose 1% 0% 2% 1% Don’t know [AVOID] 0% 1% 0% 1%
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18-34 35-54 55+ All Ages
Q5. How frequently do you (personally) shop for groceries?
Almost daily 4% 9% 8% 8%
A few times a week 26% 39% 40% 37%
About weekly 59% 48% 45% 49%
About monthly 7% 2% 4% 4%
Almost never 3% 2% 3% 3%
Q6_What prevents you from taking your own reusable bags for the grocery shopping?
Q6_1 Nothing, I ALWAYS take my own bags
26% 33% 41% 35%
Q6_2 I forget my own bags 50% 45% 44% 46%
Q6_3 I buy more than I had planned
7% 9% 4% 7%
Q6_4 When I had not planned to shop at all
13% 11% 9% 11%
Q6_5 I need the bags to use as bin liners
3% 7% 8% 7%
Q6_6 Habit, I always use plastic bags
7% 7% 2% 5%
Q6_7 I’m not concerned about plastic bags
1% 1% 2% 2%
Q6_8 Other, specify 22% 12% 10% 13%
Q6_9 Not applicable/ I never grocery shop
0% 1% 1% 1%
7.1 Do you reuse plastic shopping bags to line your kitchen bin?
Yes 69% 78% 69% 73%
No 31% 22% 31% 28%
Q7_If lightweight plastic bags were to be banned, which of these alternatives would you use to keep your kitchen bin clean?
Q7_2_1 Store food scraps in a reusable tub until bin day or composting
38% 36% 36% 36%
Q7_2_2 Put food scraps into the freezer until bin day
4% 23% 10% 15%
Q7_2_3 Line the bin with newspaper
15% 19% 20% 19%
Q7_2_4 Wash the bin out regularly (no liner)
28% 36% 32% 33%
Q7_2_5 Buy plastic bin bags
68% 48% 46% 50%
Q7_2_6 Other, specify 0% 6% 14% 8%