Consumers Readiness to do Away with Single-use Plastic Straws

Leoneeta Rozwen Hassan; DK Rafidzah AK Mohiddin; Nurul Afiqah Abd Rahman.

The negative impact plastic straw on the environment has led to the vast campaign and banning of straws to curb the usage of single-use straw, especially in food premise. Reusable straw made from stainless steel may offer the solution to the problem from getting worse. However, not everyone is willing to bring their straw every time they dine out. Eliminating the use of single-use plastic straw may prove to be effective in tackling this problem. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine consumers readiness not to use single-use plastic straw. The study was conducted on 422 respondents from Kuala Lumpur, specifically in the Golden Triangle area through convenience sampling. Data collected from questionnaires were then analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results showed most respondents are willing to do away with single-use plastic straw, especially when drinking cold beverage as well as using a recyclable or compostable straw. Overall, readiness of consumers in Kuala Lumpur to do away with single-use plastic straw is high. Therefore, initiatives to reduce the usage of single-use plastic straw should focus on strategies most preferred by respondents.

KEYWORDS: Single-use; Plastic straws; To-do away; Consumers readiness; Kuala Lumpur




Download this PDF file

REFERENCES

1. Adnan, A. S. 2018. Penyu tercucuk straw ‘dalil’ larangan (https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2018/09/476921/penyu-tercucuk-straw-dalil-larangan). Last accessed on 5 March 2019.
2. Chew, T. 2018. 7 Kuala Lumpur F&B Outlet That Have Refused the Plastic Straw (https://my.asiatatler.com/dining/kuala-lumpur-eateries-that-have-refused-the-plastic-straw). Last accessed on 5 March 2019.
3. Denham, J. 2018. 8 best reusable straws (https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/food-drink/best-reusable-straws-for-environment-hot-drinks-coffee-a8369031.html). Last accessed on 17 May 2019.
4. Gibbens, S. 2018. A Brief History of How Plastic Straws Took Over the World (https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/nature/a-brief-history-of-how-plastic-straws-took-over-the-world.aspx). Last accessed on 17 May 2019.
5. Jayne, T. 2018. McDonald’s Malaysia to Stop Handing Out Straws Automatically Starting 1 August (https://says.com/my/news/mcdonald-s-urges-customers-to-say-no-to-plastic-straws-starting-1-aug). Last accessed on 5 March 2019.
6. Jordan, J. 2018. Point: Plastic straw bans are a beneficial beginning (https://pittnews.com/article/133864/opinions/point-plastic-straw-bans-are-a-beneficial-beginning/). Last accessed on 10 April 2019.
7. Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang. 2018. Kempen kesedaran ‘Say No to Plastic Straws and Single-Use Plastics’ (http://www.mbpp.gov.my/ms/mbpp/pusat-media/galeri/kempen-kesedaran-say-no-plastic-straws-and-single-use-plastics). Last accessed on 10 April 2019.
8. Mohd Khalid, N. W. 2018. Pengharaman straw bermula 2020 (http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/wilayah/kl-putrajaya/pengharaman-straw-bermula-2020-1.752675). Last accessed on 12 April 2019.
9. Ocean Conservancy. 2018. Building a Clean Swell: 2017 International Coastal Cleanup (https://oceanconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Building-A-Clean-Swell.pdf). Last accessed on 10 July 2019.
10. Ocean Conservancy. 2019. Skip the Straw (https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/outreach-education/skip-the-straw/). Last accessed on 10 July 2019.
11. Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong. 2017. No Straw Campaign (https://www.opcf.org.hk/en/nostrawcampaign). Last accessed on 10 July 2019.
12. Painter, S. 2018. Biodegradable Drinking Straw (https://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Biodegradable_Drinking_Straws). Last accessed on 10 April 2019.
13. Rochman, B. 2018. Straws are out, lids are in: Starbucks announces environmental milestone (https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/starbucks-announces-environmental-milestone/). Last accessed on 10 April 2019.
14. Says. 2018. The final straw: McDonald’s to stop providing drinking straw on Aug 1 (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/07/395290/final-straw-mcdonalds-stop-providing-drinking-straws-aug-1). Last accessed on 13 March 2019.
15. Sivanandam, H. 2019. Malaysian still big consumer of plastic despite ban (https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/10/sucky-situation-with-straws-malaysians-still-big-consumers-of-plastic-despite-ban/). Last accessed on 7 May 2019.
16. The History of Drinking Straw. 2019. Origins and Inventions (http://www.eatingutensils.net/history-of-other-eating-utensils/drinking-straws-history/). Last accessed on 18 August 2019.