A Study On Household Handling Of Plastic Waste In Rajarampur Village, South 24 Parganas ( Everyone Can Play Their Part To Eliminate Plastic Pollution)

Effective household plastic waste management in rural areas is vital to prevent environmental degradation, protect public health from disease-carrying pests, and curb the pollution of soil and water sources. It supports sustainable development, reduces the reliance on harmful open burning, and aligns with sanitation goals like the Swachh Bharat Mission.This study adds to the knowledge gaps in the composition of plastic waste discarded, current reuse levels and recycling initiatives by households in the study area. By gaining knowledge from school or home, the community can take a serious action about the plastic waste problem Most of the rural households are still using traditional methods of managing plastic waste, even though recommended plastic waste management practices such as reusing and recycling were found amongst rural areas. The present study was carried out with main objective of a)To show the demographic characteristics of studied households of Magrahat-1 block of South 24 parganas district of West Bengal.b)To document plastic waste composition of households of Magrahat-1 block of South 24 Parganas.c)To discuss the household management of plastic waste discarded by households.d)To show the consumption pattern of household plastic ,e)To analyse the knowledge, attitude, awareness, and behaviours of households in the study area towards plastic waste management in separating plastic waste before its disposal. Near about 30 households were surveyed in the study area during the time of survey. These households have been surveyed through personal interviews to gather the required information. Plastic waste in Rajarampur is shaped by household size, income, and education, with families generating 60% plastic waste compared to food and paper. Bottles and bags dominate usage, driven by availability, low cost, and convenience. Disposal remains irregular, with most waste stored outside homes and only 40% segregated. Awareness is growing, with 40% households taking individual action, but challenges like distant dumping sites and irregular collection persist. The study suggests that Policy measures should focus on decentralized recycling units, source segregation, awareness campaigns, and integrating informal waste pickers to build a sustainable system.