[01] Nermin Abedin, Department of Environmental Science & Management, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. [02] Raisa Bashar, Department of Environmental Science & Management, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. [03] Abdun Naqib Jimmy, Department of Environmental Science & Management, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. [04] Nazmul Ahsan Khan, Department of Environmental Science & Management, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

With an ever-increasing, demanding population, the pressure on animals from corporations that produce animal-based products is on the rise. Although animal-based products are fast losing appeal in the developed world due to conscious consumer choices, the same cannot be witnessed in the less developed counterparts, like Bangladesh. This paper is, hence, an attempt to evaluate the level of awareness of Bangladesh’s Dhaka city-dwellers regarding the animal-derived ingredients in their luxury consumer commodities, namely, cosmetics, toiletries and perfumes. Additionally, it aims to understand whether awareness levels are negatively proportional to the consumption of animal-based products or not. To do this, a mixed methodology was used to perform (1) an extensive literature review spanning both developed and developing country citizens, with special focus on Dhaka residents; (2) a survey on 315 consumers to understand their choices, awareness levels and the relationship between the two; and (3) a record-keeping of select animal-based luxury products from the a few local supermarkets. Next, graphical and statistical analyses were used to understand the significance of current attitude and awareness levels among varied genders and age groups. The finding that 61% of the respondents read the ingredients on the packaging of an animal-based luxury product before buying it and still did, shows a gap in knowledge and awareness. Furthermore, while attitude seemed to be insignificant in creating consciousness, heightened knowledge levels were found to be proportional to awareness levels about animal derivatives in goods. This implies that although, currently, the overall awareness level regarding the harm that the environment faces when too much of animal-based products are used is low amongst the sample, heightened consciousness will lead them to make environmentally conscious choices. For example, it was found that the middle-aged respondents had both higher levels of awareness and lower levels of consumption when it came to products containing animal derivatives, unlike their younger and older peers. General recommendations include raising awareness levels via private sector and government intervention, appreciating the challenges that this will bring about.

Animal Derivatives, Consumer Behavior, Animal-based Products, Environmentally Friendly Cosmetics

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