Determining the behavior of consumers for the paid plastic bags implementation in markets

Plastic bags, which have an important place in the lives of consumers due to their advantages, cause damage in many areas during the production and consumption stages. Therefore, there are discussions about the use of plastic bags. The use of plastic bags is completely banned in some countries around the world due to the environmental and human health damages. In some countries, the use of plastic bags has started to be reduced with implemantions such as environmental tax and paid plastic bags. With the legal regulation implemented on January 1, 2019 in our country, it was decided to sell plastic bags at the markets for a fee. As of this date, plastic bags started to be sold for 25 cents in the markets. Therefore, the main purpose of the research is; consumers' awareness of the damages of plastic bags, environmental awareness, support to the law and social pressure factors to determine the effects of plastic bag reduction intention and using cloth bag intention. Another aim is to determine the effect of plastic bag reduction intention and using cloth bag intention on sustainable behavior. The questionnaire prepared for this purpose was applied to 427 consumers between 25.08.2019 and 25.09.2019. As a result of analysis of the obtained data with SPSS 21 and AMOS 24; awareness, environmental awareness, support for the law and social pressure have positive effects on the plastic bag reduction intention and using cloth bag intention, and plastic bag reduction intention and using cloth bag intention have positive effects on sustainable behavior.