Research Project: Small Business Role in Plastic Waste Reduction

This research project investigates the efficiency of small businesses in reducing plastic bag waste and its impact on the environment. The study begins with an abstract highlighting the harmful effects of plastic waste, including pollution and disease transmission. The project aims to determine if small businesses effectively reduce plastic bag usage by promoting alternatives like paper, cardboard, and cloth bags. The methodology includes literature review, research questions, hypothesis testing, and data analysis using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The research explores the detrimental impact of plastic bags on the environment, the role of small businesses in reducing their usage, and the measures they employ. Findings suggest that small businesses significantly contribute to reducing plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability. The project also discusses limitations and provides recommendations for further research, emphasizing the crucial role of small businesses in combating plastic pollution and promoting ecological welfare.

RESEARCH PROJECT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF SMALL
BUSINESS TO REDUCE THE PLASTIC BAGS BASED WASTES
STUDENT ID:
STUDENT NAME:
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Abstract
Small business firms are coming forward to fight with the harmful impacts of plastic based
wastes generated pollution and debris created in environment which not only carries vector of
harmful diseases and but also releases harmful emissions of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and other
harmful chlorinated gases in the atmosphere. But also it leads to blockage of drain ways and
waterways due to increased accumulation or over accumulation of plastic wastes and debris due
to inadvertence of people which lead to plastic based dumping of wastes in even around places of
health and Medicare and lead to severe water borne infectitious diseases which hurts humanity
and its healthy existence.
This entire research project highlights the judging of research hypotheses that does small
business really play the key role in reducing the plastic bags use by substituting them with
artificially made cardboards , papers and clothes which are on the other easily decomposable and
biodegradable and even recyclable as against that of plastics or polythenes.
Our research hypotheses is tested positive that is based on the circumstances based outcomes in
results and findings it is seen that small businesses does have a valuable impact in terms of
reduction of plastic bags based wastes and their emissions to the requisite level or intensity.
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Acknowledgments
Developing this research is one of my best experiences in my life. It provides me the opportunity
to enhance the knowledge and analytical skill. I would like to thank my
supervisor ................................................... for the constant guidance and support during the
process of this research. Finally, I would like to thank professionals who have participated during
the research survey provided the valuable inputs and inspired me throughout the research
process.
Heartfelt Thanks and warmest wishes,
Yours Sincerely,
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Table of contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................6
1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................6
1.2 Background of the topic.............................................................................................................6
1.3 Aim of the study........................................................................................................................6
1.4 Objectives..................................................................................................................................7
1.5 Research questions.....................................................................................................................7
1.6 Research hypothesis...................................................................................................................8
1.7 Research rationale......................................................................................................................8
1.8 Summary....................................................................................................................................8
2. Literature review..........................................................................................................................9
2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................9
2.2 Outline of ideas related to plastic bags usage..........................................................................10
2.3 Concepts and theory................................................................................................................11
2.4 Gaps in literature......................................................................................................................13
2.5 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................14
3. Methodology..............................................................................................................................15
3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................15
3.2 Method outline.........................................................................................................................15
3.3 Research Philosophy................................................................................................................15
3.4 Research Approach..................................................................................................................16
3.5 Research Design......................................................................................................................18
3.6 Data Source..............................................................................................................................19
3.7 Data Collection Method...........................................................................................................19
4. Data analysis and interpretation:..............................................................................................21
4.1 Quantitative method.................................................................................................................21
4.2 Qualitative method...................................................................................................................27
5. Conclusion and recommendations.............................................................................................28
5.1 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................28
5.2 Recommendation.....................................................................................................................29
6. Limitation of the research study................................................................................................30
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Reference list.................................................................................................................................31
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1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction
Our research topic is based on the judgement of the role played by small business to reduce the
plastic bags waste in terms of the harmful impact of plastic bags based wastes on the
environment. Our topic focuses on the detailed illustration of the manner depicting the evil
impact of maximum usage of plastic bags on the environment in which we are living. The
detrimental impacts are summed up in the literature review part.Additionally based on our
research objectives of the
Problem faced due to the accumulation of plastic bags to the human society is also being
highlighted in this research project. Not only this the research project tests the hypothesis that
whether the small business does really help in kerbing the ill effects of plastic bags and their
accumulation as waste products in the society and how does it benefit in reducing various types
of environmental degradation in an efficient and instrumental manner or mode. The introductory
part puts before us some objectives and some questions based on our objectives that by what,
how and which manner does the small business reduce plastic bags based wastes and how far it
is useful to the society.This is done in the effective and instrumental manner respectively.
1.2 Background of the topic
Our topic is based on the ideology of environmental pollution and measures to eradicate the
same through useful tools and policies adopted by the small business organisations. In the
modern globalised world, small business does play a key role in reducing the intensity of large
business generated plastic bags and baggage by replacing them with other materials of artificially
designed paper bags or related goods which are an effective feature to reduce soil pollution in
ample amount in a very efficient and systematic way. By doing the analysis the project also
highlights on various adversities of plastic bags on the environment based on soil, water and air
respectively in all terms and conditions.
1.3 Aim of the study
The aim of our study to judge the validity of the statement that small business helps to reduce the
plastic bags wastes based emissions in a sound and precise manner based on various good bonus
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and benefits or advantages of doing small businesses which ultimately will cater to ecological
welfare in terms of pollution reduction of the surroundings in and around human beings habitats
or places where they thrive or exists.The health aspect of humans is the primary cause of the
analysis of judging whether the small business enterprises are really influential in reducing the
use of plastic bags in more than much of an abundant manner.
1.4 Objectives
The main objectives of our research work can be mentioned as follows:
1.To understand the detrimental impact of increased use of plastic bags on environment which
are mainly used by consumers and producers for purchase and sales of goods
2. To understand the role played by small business in reducing plastic bags usage by which small
business firms in and around the world aids in reducing polyethene based emissions
3.To understand the measures taken by small business in reducing the plastic bags usage.at
different periods of business cycles for minimisation of polyethene or plastics usage in markets
4. To understand the efficiency level of small business in terms of welfare by curtailing increased
use of plastic bags wastes focusing on the strength of small businesses to reduce plastic bags use.
1.5 Research questions
The research questions are as follows:
1. What is the detrimental impact of polyethene or plastic bags on the human society and how far
and in what way or manner does it hurts the ecological fabric of human surroundings in both
intensity and nature based impacts?
2. What is the pioneering role played by small business enterprises in reducing the usage of
polythene bags in an intense manner for the sake of reduction of polyethene based soil, water and
air pollution?
3.What are the particular measures adopted by small businesses in eradicating increased usage of
plastic bags?
4. How far are the small business firms efficient in reducing or minimising the harmful effects of
increased use of plastic bags in the society?
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1.6 Research hypothesis
The research hypothesis can be split into two parts in terms of the interest of researchers and they
are as follows:
Null hypothesis: H0=0 (This hypothesis states that there is null impact of role played by small
business in reducing the use of plastic bags in sound manner)
Alternative hypothesis: H1≠0 (This hypothesis states that there is strong impact of measures
taken by small business in reduction of plastic bags wastes and its evils)
1.7 Research rationale
The rationale of our is totally based on the intuition that the polyethene articles or plastic bags
cause an adverse impact on environmental health standards by catering to air, water and soil
pollution respectively and hence the pioneering role played by the small business firms in
reducing its-its usage should be justified through various theories and concepts. The rationale is
also based on the testing of the intensity of reduction of plastic bags usage by the measures of
small business enterprises.
1.8 Summary
In the summary, it can be said that the elements of introductory analysis of our research project
based on the efficiency of small business enterprises in the instrumental reduction of plastic bags
usage are highlighted in a systematic and sound manner respectively. The objectives, aims and
questions based on our research are also mentioned in the accurate and simple manner in our
introductory part with in-depth manner.
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2. Literature review
2.1 Introduction
There are several harmful effects of the increased usage of plastic bags by the human society and
hence its detrimental effects should be stopped as being recognised by the most educated
intellectuals of the modern globalised world. As per Setälä et al. (2014, p.78), there are various
measures adopted by the planner and policy makers of developed nations of the modern era to
minimize the adverse impacts of plastic bags and polyethene carriages to the environment by
directly reducing their usage. This process of reduction of plastic bags usage may crop up in
terms of various modules and manners.The role played by the small business firms and
enterprises can be contextualised in terms of the process of reduction of plastic bags usage and
hence reduced use of plastic bags in markets intensively used for the trade-based business of
various consumer goods or commodities for daily consumption.
The problem of recycling: As per Sekaran and Bougie (2013, p.55), the main problem based on
plastic bags usage is that it cannot be recycled or and so when it is thrown to the soil or earth
after each particular use it becomes a trash or landfills based wastes. Once these landfills or trash
wastes from inefficiently decomposed plastic bags get accumulated in the environment they add
to different types of pollutions in all the three mediums namely soil, water and earth respectively.
Problem of decomposition:Plastic bags being not decomposed in soil are carried away by wind
or water agents in form of liters through drains our sewage systems or through air and when they
come in contact with the healthy open environments of humans, they lead to harm in form of
generation of PVC(Polyvinyl chloride) based chemical product and VOC based chemicals
which add to the woods of humans who are affected with infections and diseases which often
lead to breathing problems due suffocation and choking and may even catered to death if the
intensity of harm is very much strong to the human environment.
The role of small business to reduce the use of plastic bags: Small business do play a key role
in reducing the impact of plastic bags usage in many possible manners and it incorporates such
systems and measures which easily help to reduce the natural harms to the environment caused
by increased accumulation of PVC based polyethene products. Some such measures the
customers or consumers are not allowed to bring or in some ways not feel it necessary to bring
plastic bags from home to take the purchased consumer goods from small business base shops
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and enterprises. The reason is that the small businesses provide alternative products to be used as
bags by customers and they are mainly in form of cardboard or hard artificial paper made bags.
The small businesses also provide opportunities to the consumers for the use of cloth based
product bags which are recyclable and can be easily decomposed into the soil after each
particular use.
Small business also provides the opportunity to customers to shop in bulk which reduces the
usage of a maximum number of plastic bags in appreciable amounts. There varieties of methods
by which small business do help in creating social awareness among customers for reducing the
use of plastic bags and have various policies under its armour to help the human society to do the
same for their own benefits and welfare judged in terms of health grounds.
2.2 Outline of ideas related to plastic bags usage
There are various theories and models based on the role played by small businesses to reduce
plastic bags based wastes whose emission cater to live threatening outcomes on the health of
humans and make them miserable in terms of health grounds. As per Saunders et al. (2012,p.
107), all these theories are based on highlighting the harmful effects of plastic bags usage and the
in this context discusses all the essential steps designed by policy makers to reduce plastic bags
based detriments to the environment .The theories also tell about the manner by which the small
business firms adopt these effective measures designed by the policy makers and social
programmers which are the chief characteristics of their business development policy or
procedure.
The emissions from non-biodegradable pollutants like PVC or Polyvinyl chloride generated from
increased use of non-decomposable polyethene bags are causing increasing health problems in
modern world which are catering health hazards in intense manner as reflected in the following
theories based on the control of use of plastic bags by small business as a positive approach to
eradicate the detrimental impact of non-recyclable plastic bags wastes on soil , water and air
based terrestrial environments. As per Reardon (2013, p.88), small business based development
is, therefore, necessary in ample amounts to fit with the policies of reduced use of polythenes to
keep their evil effects in check in sound and sophisticated manner using the latest tools of
pollution abatement respectively.
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2.3 Concepts and theory
Plastics and environment
Increased use of plastics in terms of increased magnitude of consumer demands in the modern
globalised world does have a devastating effect on the human environment and on the biotic and
biotic surroundings encircling humans. For instance, plastic bags or polyethene carriages lead to
blocking and hurdles in the drainage and sewage system in the gutters and drains. As per
Oliveira et al. (2013, p.643), they are hence threatening to the lives of millions of aquatic
organisms including fishes of various species which form the staple food of human beings all
around the civilised world. So the fishes infected from the harmful chemical ingredients and
constituents of plastics when consumed by humans led to various harmful diseases including that
of cholera which sometimes goes to the extent of taking the lives of peoples unknowingly.
Plastic materials when mixed with rainwater lead to the advent of growth process of mosquito
larvae of female Anopheles mosquitoes which lead to the spread of the most harmful infectious
bacteria-borne disease namely malaria which when happen in increased intensity lead to severe
harmful symptoms in humans starting from highly viral fever , intense headache and ultimately
the if the immune system of him or her is weak he or she may die due to the disease in intense
manner namely malignant malaria.
As per Lusher (2015, p.250), these harmful plastic wastes cannot be disposed of easily and so
they easily form trash or litters which led to pollution in air by release of harmful chemicals like
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and due to its non-recyclable nature, it is often seen to be burnt in
incinerators which again adds to environmental effluents in various modes or manners. This non-
biodegradable plastic materials lead to the release of harmful chlorine-based substances, and
other chemicals like dioxins and furans and other poisonous gases which if not treated with
fairness may further lead to chances of death as witnessed in humans by suffocation or choking
due to the unhealthiness of air.These plastic based effluents do harm the endocrine system of
humans and cause various endocrine based diseases which take long range of time to be treated
properly or in a fully fledged manner.
Plastic in form of monomers or the low variety of complexly architecture designed polyphones
often features as carriers of various diseases which are transported via the wind from the source
to the destined physical body of vulnerable humans. As per Li et al. (2015, p.928), hence there
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are various types of plastics of both polymeric and monomeric origin which in combination with
other product or chemicals if comes in contact with the open foods of humans may cause vital
harms and burnings thereby affecting the organ system of humans which surely poses death
threat if not treated instantaneously with proper medical aids and cares using the best tools of
medical science.
Environmental theories and models based on plastic usage
There are various environmental theories based on pollution catered by unlimited use of plastic
bags and luggage of polyphones.
a.Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior based environmental change
This particular theory based on planned behaviour based environmental change put forth by
Ajzen outlines various planned based behavioural change in form of social thrusts or subjective
norms which may be of various varieties do impact environmental behaviour and defines the
specific set of actions to be taken on them. As per Lee et al. (2013, p.11280), the stronger the
pressures are the more intense the actions taken on the basis of these thrusts or pressures.
For instance in our case of plastics based damage affecting environment, the intensity of its
impact since being very strong in recent world phenomenon does lead to the promptness and
high level of actions to be taken in response from small business firms for eradication of this
changed behaviour of human environment in terms of being polluted by plastic bags based
wastes.
b. Gifford’s social dilemma system model
The individuals or groups of society or ecological community is a system which proceeds from
communal interest based policies to self-interest based policies by virtue of which the
environmental characteristic based behavior is modified or changed in certain terms or manners.
As per Koelmans et al. (2016, p.3323), hence the outcomes of ultimate origin are affected in
terms of conflict of interests between humans and environment where they live in due to a
behaviour of some humans affecting other variety of humans and the environment.
Hence in our analysis, the increased use of plastics by modern human communities may harm the
niches and physical and biotic environments of other humans in form of pollutants based on
various categories of pollutants catered by increased use of plastic bags or polythene materials.
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