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Influencing Sustainable Behavior Through Life Cycle Assessment: A Case Study on Single-Use Plastic Pen Consumption at a Teacher Education Institution in Kerala, India
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Researchers studied how many disposable plastic pens a teacher training college in India goes through, then calculated their environmental toll—things like carbon emissions and water pollution from plastic waste. When students saw the actual data on their pen usage, many were motivated to cut back and consider digital note-taking instead, showing that making pollution "visible" through data can nudge people toward greener habits. While this study focused on climate and water pollution rather than direct human health effects, discarded plastic pens can break down into microplastics that eventually end up in water supplies and food—making everyday plastic habits worth rethinking.
Abstract Sustainable campus practices in educational institutions often focus on infrastructure improvements and event-based green initiatives, while the environmental impact of everyday stationery items, particularly single-use plastic (SUP) pens, is frequently overlooked. This study conducts a survey on SUP pen consumption at a teacher education institution affiliated to the University of Kerala, India, followed by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate their environmental footprint. The findings reveal significant environmental consequences, including global warming and aquamarine ecotoxicity, due to unmonitored usage driven by a heavy reliance on written assessments. After presenting the LCA report at the institution, the study assesses changes in user behavior, exploring the effectiveness of LCA as an educational tool for promoting sustainable practices. It is noted that the intervention enables student-teachers to render otherwise intangible forms of pollution, such as carbon emissions, aquatic toxicity, eutrophication, and resource depletion, into tangible representations, thereby enhancing ecological literacy through evidence-based reflection and improving their ability to communicate sustainability concepts to their students. As universities in India are planning to implement the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) and new syllabi-assessment systems, the research highlights the potential of digital alternatives to reduce environmental impact and foster sustainability.
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Pens, Plastics, and Planet: A Study of Student Groups' Plastic Pen Usage and Awareness of Its Impact on Environmental Sustainability
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This study examines plastic consumption patterns and environmental attitudes among student groups, focusing on single-use items such as pens and packaging. Surveys and behavioral assessments reveal the gap between students' stated environmental awareness and their actual consumption habits. The findings underscore the importance of targeted education and structural interventions to reduce plastic use among young consumers.
Reducing Environmental Pollution Through Behavioral Change and Education: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
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A repeated cross-sectional pilot study in an environmental health course (2020–2023) found that behavioral change interventions across two phases significantly reduced students' generation of single-use plastic and paper waste, demonstrating the potential of environmental education to modify consumption behavior.
Perilaku Pemakaian Plastik Sekali Pakai oleh Mahasiswa dalam Aktivitas di Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam Universitas Mataram
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A study of college students in Indonesia found that even though most students know single-use plastics (like bags and bottles) are bad for the environment, that knowledge doesn't always translate into actually cutting back on plastic use. Interestingly, students studying environmental science were better at avoiding plastic than other students, suggesting that being surrounded by a culture that values sustainability makes a real difference in habits. This matters because single-use plastics break down into microplastics that can end up in our food, water, and bodies—so closing the gap between "knowing better" and "doing better" could help reduce our long-term exposure to these particles.
Consumption Patterns and Health Perceptions Regarding Plastic Pollution: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Nursing Students in India
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A study of nursing students in India found that even though most knew plastic pollution can harm human health (like raising risks for breathing problems and cancer) and the environment, over a third still used single-use plastics daily anyway, mostly because it's convenient. This gap between knowing and doing matters because it shows that just understanding the risks isn't enough to change habits — even among future healthcare workers who will one day teach others about health risks like plastic and microplastic exposure.
Statistical Analysis of Environmental Impacts from Ballpoint Pen Usage and Disposal
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A statistical analysis of ballpoint pen usage in India estimated that approximately 49.92 billion pens are disposed of annually, generating 5.49 million tonnes of plastic waste and 2.65 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. The study found that 97% of users replace rather than refill pens, and suggests that switching to fountain pens could reduce plastic waste by over 60%.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.