Vocational School Student’ Perception on Plastic Waste Management: the role of Recycling Education

Recycling is one of the effective methods for reducing the negative impact of plastic waste to the environment. It is expected that the youth could play a role, to be responsible for managing plastic waste. The purpose of this research is to analyse the influence of demography factor and recycling education on the vocational high school students' perception toward plastic recycling activities. This research employed a quantitative approach of one group pre-test and post-test design using a case study in mechanical engineering class of a Vocational High School in the city of Surakarta, Indonesia. The data collection technique was carried out through questionnaire distributed amount 31 students. Statistical data analysis was used to describe students' perceptions and test the hypothesis of the effect of recycling education on students' perceptions of sorting waste for recycling. The recycling education was performed in 2 (two) sessions in which the first session covered the theory of plastic recycling. In the second session, the students were asked to use an injection moulding machine to recycle plastic into a simple product of a, key chains. The study indicated the recycling education significantly affects the student' perception in managing plastic waste for recycling purpose. It is found a notable difference between the students' post-test and pre-test score after attending the recycling education program. In this study, the demographics factors indicating from the student family background were not significantly have an impact on the student' perception plastic waste management. This study emphasizes the need for an integrated waste management education program on the school curriculum to increase the student' awareness toward environmental issues of plastic waste.