世界银行-孟加拉国塑料废物管理的行为洞察（英）-2025.1_86页_10mb

Behavioral Insights for Plastic Waste Management in Bangladesh

Core Content

This report by the World Bank provides behavioral insights to support the Government of Bangladesh in tackling plastic waste management through a more systematic and comprehensive approach. It is part of the Building Back Greener Bangladesh Programmatic Analytics and Advisory Services and is informed by two studies conducted in Cox's Bazar and Dhaka, focusing on understanding the behavioral and infrastructural challenges related to single-use plastics (SUPs).

Main Objectives

• To understand the perceptions and behaviors of stakeholders regarding plastic usage and waste management.
• To support the implementation of the Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management (2021) and the Solid Waste Management Rules (2021).
• To identify barriers and recommend interventions that align with a circular economy and sustainable practices.

Key Findings

• Public Awareness: There is a relatively high level of awareness in both Cox's Bazar and Dhaka regarding the negative environmental and health impacts of SUPs.
• Continued Use of SUPs: Despite awareness, the use of SUPs continues to increase due to their low cost, convenience, and perceived hygiene.
• Waste Disposal Practices: In Cox's Bazar, businesses often dispose of plastic waste through dumping and burning, while in Dhaka, waste is commonly discarded in open spaces or collected by city corporation services.
• Segregation and Recycling: Segregation and recycling of plastics are minimal and often managed informally, with limited effectiveness.
• Behavioral Biases: Respondents exhibit availability bias, present bias, and salience bias, which influence their perception and behavior towards plastics.
• Social Norms: In coastal areas like Cox's Bazar, the social norm is to use SUPs, which creates a bandwagon effect and reduces pressure to adopt alternatives.

Key Barriers

Capability Barriers

• Lack of clarity on what SUPs are among different stakeholders.
• Limited knowledge about affordable and convenient alternatives.
• Insufficient awareness of proper waste management practices.
• Misunderstanding of the environmental and health consequences of plastic use.
• Disconnect between personal behavior and its negative consequences.
• Reliance on government to provide alternatives.
• Knowledge gap on government regulations.
• Limited decision-making power in businesses.

Opportunity Barriers

• Inadequate waste storage and disposal infrastructure.
• Unreliable waste collection services.
• Limited environmental cues and signage.
• Lack of alternatives to SUPs.
• Convenience of SUPs due to affordability, portability, and durability.
• Absence of role models for sustainable practices.
• Social norms favoring SUP use.
• Low expectations of government enforcement of sustainable policies.

Motivation Barriers

• Expectation that customers prefer SUPs.
• Low perceived need for behavior change.
• Misguided belief that burning plastics reduces environmental harm.
• Limited understanding of health impacts.
• High cost of transitioning to alternatives.
• Habitual use of SUPs.
• Lack of accountability for littering.
• Diffusion of responsibility for managing plastic pollution.

Key Recommendations

Implement the SUP Ban

• Ensure adequate infrastructure to enforce the ban.
• Educate stakeholders on the difference between SUPs and multiple-use plastics.
• Provide information on the benefits and consequences of the ban.
• Ensure availability of SUP alternatives for consumers and businesses.
• Communicate through various media and social networks.
• Educate hotel and business staff on hygiene practices with reusable products.

Improve Plastic Waste Disposal

• Designate areas for segregated waste accumulation.
• Encourage waste segregation at the source with separate bins and clear signage.
• Communicate and reinforce waste segregation instructions.
• Provide training on proper waste disposal to consumers, businesses, and employees.
• Discourage littering through fines and positive messaging.
• Highlight the health impacts of plastic waste.
• Initiate educational activities in schools and colleges.

Strengthen Government Infrastructure

• Provide designated areas for proper disposal of plastic waste.
• Ensure regular and efficient garbage collection.
• Install adequate bins with clear signage in public places.
• Train local administration staff on waste management.

Develop Meaningful Partnerships

• Initiate public-private partnerships for the manufacture and distribution of SUP alternatives.
• Engage stakeholders to adapt to the use of alternatives and reusable products.
• Collaborate with citizens' groups, CBOs, and NGOs to promote sustainable practices and campaigns.

Conclusions

The studies indicate that a more integrated and targeted approach is needed to reduce SUP usage and improve plastic waste management. Awareness is important, but it must be accompanied by adequate infrastructure and environmental cues. The report emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts between government, private sector, and local communities to ensure sustainable and effective plastic waste management. Investment in waste management infrastructure and technology-driven solutions is essential for a systemic transformation towards a circular plastic economy.