We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Assessing Pro-Environmental Behaviour towards Plastics among Staff and Students at a South African University
AI summary Read the abstract
A survey of 248 staff and students at a South African university found that lecturers had significantly greater awareness of plastic pollution's long-term impacts and were more likely to reduce personal plastic use, while students prioritized convenience and used more single-use plastics. The study highlights that education and institutional policy changes are needed to close the knowledge gap and shift behavior at both individual and campus levels.
Plastic pollution is a global issue of concern, with all environmental realms contaminated by plastics. Human consumption as well as management of daily plastics use can play a significant role to control this global environmental problem. Thus, understanding public perceptions about plastic consumption and pollution is vital to engage society in solutions to reduce the associated environmental impact. This study explores the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of a university community towards plastic consumption and pollution. We employed online questionnaires, which had 248 respondents in the end, and data was analysed using a combination of Chi-Squared and Spearman correlation tests. We observed that staff members (i.e., lecturers) had a greater awareness of long-term plastic waste impacts and were more likely to take steps to reduce their plastic use in their daily routines. About 50% of staff members and 14.8% of students indicated that their main source of information was scientific publications, followed by Google (8.3% of staff members, 24% of students). Furthermore, they were also more likely to implement policies and procedures that promote sustainability and reduce waste. Approximately 54.5% of staff members and 56.4% of students highlighted that they did not know of any tools to help reduce plastic pollution, with 36.4% of staff members and 20.5% of students indicating that they did not know of any intervention methods. In comparison, students were more focused on convenience and did not have the same level of understanding or concern about the environmental impact of plastics as they were more likely to use single-use plastics, without considering the potential environmental harm. Hence, to bridge this gap in perception, educational institutions should take proactive steps to educate both staff and students about the importance of reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability through the provision of educational materials, organising awareness campaigns and events, and implementing policies that encourage responsible plastic use.
More Papers Like This
Perilaku Pemakaian Plastik Sekali Pakai oleh Mahasiswa dalam Aktivitas di Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam Universitas Mataram
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Sokoine University Students Regarding Endocrine Disruptors Coming from Plastic Chemicals
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of students at Sokoine University in Tanzania regarding microplastic pollution, finding that while awareness was moderate, practical behaviors to reduce plastic use were limited, highlighting the need for applied environmental education.
Determinants of single-use plastic bottled water consumption among university students: a cross-sectional study
AI summary Read the abstract
A survey of university students found that convenience, habit, and accessibility were the primary drivers of single-use plastic bottled water consumption, with environmental knowledge having limited influence on behavior, suggesting that structural changes rather than awareness campaigns are needed to reduce plastic bottle use.
A Preliminary Survey on Knowledge and Attitudes of University Students Regarding Microplastic Pollution and Its Impact on the Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
A cross-sectional survey of university students found moderate knowledge and attitudes toward microplastic pollution, with no significant variation by age, gender, academic performance, or field of study. The findings suggest that structured education and media engagement are needed to improve microplastic literacy among young people who will shape future demand for plastic alternatives.
Environmental Education to Boost Pro-environmental Behaviour in Reducing Plastics Consumption Among Students in Universitas Bina Darma Palembang
AI summary Read the abstract
This Indonesian study evaluated the effectiveness of an environmental education program on university students' knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behavior regarding plastic consumption. Students showed significant improvements in environmental literacy and reported intentions to reduce plastic use after the program.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.