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Determinants of Face Mask Waste Management as a Health Behavior to Protect the Environment
Summary
A survey of Indonesian parents found that most people have sufficient knowledge and a supportive attitude toward proper face mask disposal, yet lack access to dedicated disposal infrastructure such as mask waste bins or waste banks. Since disposable masks are made primarily of polypropylene, improper disposal contributes to microplastic formation in the environment. The study identifies access and structural barriers — not just awareness — as the key obstacles to preventing mask-derived microplastic pollution.
Preventing Covid-19 by wearing a face mask is a mandatory policy. The implementation of this policy is now reaping very complex problems. Where the waste generation of face masks is very large, reaching 1,662.75 tons in September 2020. Disposable face mask waste with polypropylene as the main ingredient encourages the formation of microplastics in the environment. The community managing face masks often have technical problems where, where, and when this face mask waste can be managed properly so that it does not pollute the environment. The purpose of the study was to determine the determinants of facial mask waste management as a health behavior to protect the environment. The research method is quantitative research through a descriptive online survey approach. The population in this study were all parents of Public Health Study Program students. A total research sample of 88 respondents filled out a questionnaire via Google form. Univariate data were analyzed by percentage distribution. Based on the results of the research that has been done, it is found that most parents are the general public, meaning that they are not community leaders / religious leaders, have a higher education, are female, are not health workers, have jobs that are not government employees, earn below the Regional Minimum Wage (UMR), have sufficient knowledge, have a supportive attitude, but do not have access to the unit Waste Bank and special face mask bins in the neighborhood, do not have experience in participating in face mask waste management counseling activities, have never played a role in face mask waste management counseling, and do not carry out face mask waste management.