Two-thirds of Russians use plastic bags; the majority say they are ready to refuse plastic or stop using it.
MOSCOW, June 5, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to the use of plastic bags in Russia.
Most of Russians use plastic bags (68%) for shopping (mainly men (73%) and persons aged 35-44 (81%)). Twenty-five percent of respondents sometimes use plastic bags repeatedly; a further 41% sometimes take new plastic bags; 32% almost always take new plastic bags.
Twenty-nine percent of those who use plastic bags repeatedly do it for reasons of economy (33% of the 18-24-year-olds and 32% of women); 27% take care of nature (45% of the 18-24-year-olds and 30% of men).
Every fifth (18%) puts the items in ordinary shopping bags or backpacks; remarkably, the share of those who do so is higher among respondents aged 18-24 (46%). Every tenth respondent (9%) has a special fabric bag to go shopping (13% of women and 15% of those aged 60 and over). A the same time, 85% of Russians admit they would stop using plastic bags or try to use less plastic (39% “completely”; 46% “partially”). In addition, 70% of Russians consider that abandoning plastic bags would considerably improve the ecological situation.
VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on June 2, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Imagine you have bought foods, clothes and other items. You have paid and now you need to pack them. What do you generally use to pack the items? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18 – 29 | Aged 30 – 39 | Aged 40 – 49 | Aged 50 – 59 | Aged 60+ |
Plastic bags (cellophane/polyethylene) | 68 | 73 | 63 | 42 | 76 | 81 | 72 | 56 |
My ordinary bag, backpack | 18 | 17 | 19 | 46 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 22 |
Special fabric bags | 9 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 15 |
Paper bags / package | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Other | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Don’t know | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Speaking about the use of plastic bags, do you use plastic bags (cellophane/polyethylene) repeatedly, or do you take a new one each time you go shopping? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total responders |
I almost always use the bags repeatedly | 25 |
Sometimes I use plastic bags repeatedly, sometimes I take a new one | 41 |
I almost always take a new bag | 32 |
I do not use plastic bags when shopping | 2 |
Don’t know | 0 |
Why do you reuse plastic bags? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who reuse plastic bags) | ||||||||
| % of those who reuse plastic bags | Men | Women | Aged 18 – 29 | Aged 30 – 39 | Aged 40 – 49 | Aged 50 – 59 | Aged 60+ |
To save up money | 29 | 26 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 34 | 25 | 30 |
To protect the environment | 27 | 30 | 26 | 45 | 25 | 31 | 28 | 22 |
It can be used once again / good condition | 25 | 26 | 25 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 29 | 30 |
I have my own bag / always with me | 12 | 14 | 11 | 19 | 16 | 9 | 13 | 10 |
Convenient | 9 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
Too expensive | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
I use it as trash bag | 7 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
I do not need any extra bag /“bag for bags” | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 3 |
I got accustomed to it | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
I grudge to throw it | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
I do not have other bags | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Other | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Don’t know | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
Do you admit you could refuse or use fewer plastic bags, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
I think I could completely abandon using plastic bags | 39 |
I think I could partially abandon or use fewer plastic bags | 46 |
I think I could not use fewer plastic bags | 13 |
I have already started to use fewer plastic bags | 0 |
Don’t know | 2 |
Some people believe that abandoning or using fewer plastic bags would considerably reduce the amount of waste and improve the environmental situation. Others say that abandoning or using fewer plastic bags will not have any positive effects on the environmental situation. Which statement do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
It will considerably improve the environmental situation | 70 |
It will not have any positive effect on the environmental situation | 28 |
Don’t know / I did not think of that | 2 |
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