types of shopping bags in terms of their carbon footprint potential is very high if no usage and disposal
options were provided. When the carbon footprint values from different disposal options were
compared, the carbon footprint values were lower in the case where a higher percentage of reuse is
preferred to recycling and disposing to landfill. The results indicate that a higher percentage of reuse
could significantly scale down the carbon footprint. Once the shopping bags reached the point where
they can no longer be reused, they must be forwarded to recycling options, rather than being disposed to
landfill. At this juncture, consumer’s perceptions and behaviours in connection with the respective
government’s policies in promoting & facilitating recycling systems could be critical in reducing the
carbon footprint of various shopping bags.