80% of respondents want plastic bags to be replaced by paper bags: Inshorts Poll

On the occasion of World Paper Bag Day, Inshorts, India's #1 English news aggregator, conducted a nationwide poll to gauge people's awareness and willingness to adopt paper bags as an alternative to plastic bags. World Paper Bag Day is celebrated annually on July 12 with an aim to spread awareness about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution and promote the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives. The Inshorts poll, which garnered over 8 lakh responses across India, demonstrates the increasing consciousness surrounding the benefits of environmentally friendly practices.

Awareness and Consciousness Among Consumers: According to the poll, close to 85% of respondents are aware that single-use plastic bags are banned in  India. The results also revealed that almost 79% of respondents carry their own bags when they step out to shop for groceries and everyday items. Moreover, 46% of the people surveyed actively refuse to accept plastic bags when offered by shopkeepers.

Embracing a Sustainable Future: When asked if they were comfortable paying a small amount of money for paper bags provided by stores while shopping, as many as 62% of people responded in the affirmative. In fact, nearly 80% of people surveyed believe that plastic bags should be replaced by paper bags in all stores as a step towards building a sustainable future.

Convenience or environment: The poll findings revealed that 53% of respondents think that plastic bags are more convenient than paper bags. However, when asked what factor prompted them to choose paper bags over plastic bags, 79% cited environmental impact. On the contrary, 21% of respondents said they preferred plastic bags over paper bags due to their durability and convenience.

The poll results clearly highlight that there is immense understanding among people about the harmful consequences of using plastic bags.