Impact of no-plastic policy on business operations: A business-centric perspective

This research examined how Municipal Ordinance No. 337 influences business strategies, sales, and customer retention. While existing literature primarily focuses on environmental benefits and consumer preferences, this study uniquely investigates the policy's impact on business operations. A quantitative study involving 42 registered micro-businesses in Labo’s financial center was conducted. Data were collected using a structured survey questionnaire and analyzed through statistical tools such as frequency, percentage distribution, weighted mean, and Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient. Micro-business compliance with and perceptions of Municipal Ordinance No. 337 were measured using a 4-point Likert scale. The results indicated high micro-business compliance with the ordinance’s three categorized sections (M = 3.44) and a strong perceived impact on business operations, particularly in terms of pricing (x̄ = 3.15), packaging (x̄ = 3.56), sales (x̄ = 3.9), and customer retention (x̄ = 2.92). A significant positive correlation was found between compliance with Sections 8 and 9.3 (encouraging alternative and eco-friendly packaging) and the impact on packaging strategies (rs = 0.457, p < 0.002). Although limited to a single municipal geographic area, this study provides valuable insights into the impact of plastic waste reduction ordinances on micro-business operations.