Public perception and compliance with Ethiopia’s single-use plastic bag ban: Challenges and strategic pathways to success

Abstract In June 2025, Ethiopia implemented a comprehensive nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags to address the growing plastic pollution crisis and to promote sustainable waste management practices. This perspective article critically examines the role of public perception and behavioral compliance in shaping the success of the ban on single-use plastic bags in Ethiopia. Drawing on policy analysis, public discourse and anticipated public perception, this study examines the potential key challenges that could hinder the effective implementation of the ban, including limited public awareness, socioeconomic disparities, lack of affordable alternatives and weak enforcement mechanisms. It also examines how cultural norms, infrastructure limitations and fragmented communication strategies impede policy adoption. The challenges faced in enforcing plastic ban, along with insights from both successful and failed strategies in comparable societies and economies of some developing countries, have been highlighted and explained, offering valuable guidance and lessons for Ethiopia. The article concludes by providing context-specific recommendations, including multichannel awareness campaigns, economic incentives, institutional capacity building and community-driven engagement strategies. The findings can provide critical insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to enhance policy effectiveness and foster behavioral transitions in Ethiopia and other developing nations.