Optimal Return Policies and Micro-Plastics Prevention Based on Environmental Quality Improvement Efforts and Consumer Environmental Awareness

Consumers initiating returns online may produce secondary packaging, while most of the packages are produced by plastics. The more products returned, plastics used. Existing research indicates that plastic can contribute to micro-plastics pollution environment. As consumer environmental awareness (CEA) improves, and consumers willing pay extra fees change materials from others in order protect environment, prompting enterprises adjust their return policies. In this context, paper takes quality improvement effort coefficient as decision variables, compares manufacturer’s optimal decisions under with without policy. Our results show follows: (1) There is a positive correlation between CEA coefficient; is, increase an CEA; (2) When high (k???d), there threshold for manufacturers invest effort. However, when low (0???k), regardless policy manufacturer implements, its profit increases promotion CEA, allows returns, relationship obvious; (3) should adopt appropriate according changes CEA. policy; full refund (r=p) policy, which profit, investment protection. From above conclusions, we suggest government publicity protection, establish green consumption, achieve sustainable development.