The Effect of Environmental Awareness on Environmental Buying Behaviours

Abstract

Environmental awareness is individuals' awareness of their environmental responsibilities and their ability to fulfil these responsibilities. The aim of this study is to determine the environmental awareness of consumers and the effects of environmental awareness on environmental purchasing behaviour living in Kahramanmaraş province. The main material of the study consists of the data obtained from face-to-face surveys with 384 consumers living in the city centre of Kahramanmaraş in January and February 2020. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyse the data. According to the result, it is determined that 89.1% of consumers believe that they are sensitive to the environment. Moreover, the environmental sensitivity is found higher in women, consumers having higher education level and elementary family. Furthermore, 93.4% of consumers who buy products that cause less pollution and 95.7% of consumers who are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products than other products are environmentally sensitive. This study, which will serve as a resource for the relevant stakeholders, aims to increase the environmental awareness of consumers, increase the awareness of consumers to environmentally friendly products and contribute to the protection of the environment.