Papers

61,005 results
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Systematic Review Tier 1

A Systematic Review on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Single-Use Plastic

This systematic review examines what people know and think about single-use plastics and whether that knowledge changes their behavior. Understanding public attitudes toward disposable plastic is important because single-use items are a primary source of the plastic waste that breaks down into the microplastics now found in human blood, organs, and food.

2022 Journal of Materials in Life Sciences (JOMALISC) 3 citations
Review Tier 2

From Awareness to Action: A Critical Review of Public Knowledge and Behavioral Gaps in Addressing Plastic Pollution

This review examined why public awareness of plastic pollution has not translated into meaningful behavior change. Researchers found that most people focus on visible plastic items like bottles and bags but have limited knowledge about microplastics from clothing or tires. Key barriers to action include convenience, cost, social norms, and distrust in recycling systems, suggesting that education alone is insufficient without strategies targeting specific behavioral changes.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Review Tier 2

From Awareness to Action: A Critical Review of Public Knowledge and Behavioral Gaps in Addressing Plastic Pollution

This review examined why public awareness of plastic pollution has not translated into meaningful behavioral change. The study found that most people focus on visible plastic waste like bottles and bags but have limited understanding of sources like microplastics from clothing and tires, with key barriers to action including convenience, cost, social norms, and distrust in recycling systems.

2026 International Journal of Science and Research Archive
Review Tier 2

From Awareness to Action: A Critical Review of Public Knowledge and Behavioral Gaps in Addressing Plastic Pollution

This review examined why high public awareness of plastic pollution has not led to meaningful action. Researchers found that people tend to focus on visible pollution like bottles and bags while overlooking less obvious sources such as microplastics from clothing and tires. The study concludes that bridging the awareness-to-action gap requires strategies that address specific behavioral barriers including convenience, cost, and distrust in recycling systems.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

The degree of awareness of the risk of microplastic particles/people’s perception in taking preventive measures for this type of risk

This study surveyed public awareness of microplastic risks and perceptions around taking protective measures, finding that knowledge levels were variable and that most people had limited understanding of exposure routes and health implications. The authors call for targeted public communication campaigns to increase risk awareness.

2024 Journal of Engineering Sciences and Innovation
Article Tier 2

Public Awareness Of Plastic Pollution And Perceived Risks To Human Health.

This study aims to assess public awareness of plastic pollution and its health impacts by surveying urban and semi-urban communities about their plastic use habits and self-reported health outcomes. Researchers plan to compare families using plastic food-contact materials with those using non-plastic alternatives to identify gaps in awareness and potential health differences linked to everyday plastic exposure.

2026
Systematic Review Tier 1

A systematic review of microplastics perception and its factors: Implications on SDGs

This systematic review examines public awareness and understanding of microplastic pollution around the world. The findings show that gender and education level are key factors in how people perceive microplastic risks, and that more research is needed on how awareness translates into behavior changes that could reduce plastic pollution and its health impacts.

2025 Sustainable Futures 1 citations
Article Tier 2

From Ocean to Table: How Public Awareness Shapes the Fight Against Microplastic Pollution

This literature review synthesized global studies on public awareness of microplastic pollution, finding that while scientific knowledge has expanded significantly, public understanding and behavioral change remain limited. The study identified effective communication strategies and policy approaches to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and public action.

2025 Urban Science
Article Tier 2

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Plastic Use Patterns, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Microplastics in Relation to Cognitive Function in Indonesia

Researchers developed and validated a questionnaire to assess plastic use patterns, microplastic knowledge, and attitudes among Indonesian adults, with a focus on potential associations with cognitive function. The study provides a validated tool for measuring public awareness of microplastic exposure in Indonesia, where plastic pollution is particularly severe, and explores the emerging concern about neurocognitive effects of microplastic exposure.

2025 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the Levels of Awareness among European Citizens about the Direct and Indirect Impacts of Plastics on Human Health

Researchers surveyed European citizens across multiple countries about their awareness of direct and indirect health impacts of plastic pollution, finding that awareness of plastic's environmental harms was widespread but that knowledge of specific health risks — including those from microplastics and chemical additives — was much lower.

2021 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices toward Plastic Pollution among Malaysians: Implications for Minimizing Plastic Use and Pollution

Researchers surveyed Malaysians about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding plastic pollution. The study found that while most people were aware of plastic pollution problems, there was a significant gap between awareness and actual behavior change. The findings suggest that education campaigns alone are insufficient and need to be paired with practical infrastructure and policy changes to reduce plastic use.

2023 Sustainability 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Consumer Awareness of The Environmental and Health Risks of Micro plastics Pollution

Researchers surveyed 400 Kuwaiti participants to assess consumer awareness of the environmental and health risks of microplastic pollution and how this knowledge influences behavior. About 80% of respondents understood the risks, but knowledge gaps existed—particularly misconceptions about who is most affected—suggesting targeted communication is needed to convert awareness into sustainable consumption behavior.

2025 Delta Journal of Science
Systematic Review Tier 1

A Systematic Review On Consumer Behavior toward Plastic Consumption In Asian Countries

This systematic review summarizes research on consumer attitudes and behaviors toward plastic use across Asian countries. Understanding what drives people to use or avoid plastic products is important for reducing microplastic pollution at its source, since everyday plastic consumption is the upstream cause of the microplastic contamination found in our food, water, and bodies.

2021 ADVANCES IN BUSINESS RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Uncertainties about waste using an online survey and review approach: Environmentalist perceptions, household waste compositions and views from media and science — R0/PR2

A survey combined with a mini-review explored individuals' perceptions of their own waste generation, finding general concern about plastic pollution but limited understanding of personal contribution. Better public awareness of household plastic waste behaviors is important for designing effective policies to reduce the plastic entering the environment and eventually fragmenting into microplastics.

2023
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Risk Perception on Microplastics Pollution in Drinking Water Sources

Researchers surveyed higher education students to assess their risk perception of microplastic pollution in drinking water sources and measured relationships between perception, concern, and behavioral intention to reduce plastic use. The study aimed to identify knowledge gaps and inform awareness campaigns targeting informed plastic reduction behavior among young adults.

2022 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the microplastics health impacts risk perception in Iranian people: Challenges and improvement strategies

Researchers surveyed Iranians to assess their awareness and risk perception of microplastic health hazards, finding significant gaps in public understanding despite growing environmental contamination. The study proposes strategies spanning individual behavior, community education, and national policy to improve microplastic risk management.

2025 Environmental Health Engineering and Management
Article Tier 2

Knowledge, concerns and attitudes towards plastic pollution: An empirical study of public perceptions in Portugal

A survey of public knowledge, concerns, and attitudes toward plastic pollution found that awareness varied significantly across demographic groups, and that concern about plastic in different environmental compartments (air, water, soil) did not always translate into pro-recycling behaviors.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 24 citations
Article Tier 2

A Study On Creating Awareness Of Plastic Usage To Promote Sustainable Practices For A Greener Future

This study examines educational interventions and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing plastic consumption and promoting sustainable practices, evaluating their effectiveness in shifting public attitudes and behaviors toward a lower-plastic future.

2025 International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research
Article Tier 2

A community-based cross-sectional study exploring knowledge, attitude, and practice of adults towards the use and hazards of plastic products

A community-based cross-sectional study explored public knowledge, attitudes, and practices around plastic use and health risks, finding gaps in awareness of plastic chemical components despite widespread daily use. The authors recommend targeted public education to promote healthier and more sustainable plastic choices.

2023 The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine 5 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A systematic literature review of voluntary behaviour change approaches in single use plastic reduction

This systematic review examines efforts to voluntarily reduce single-use plastic consumption through behavior change rather than legislation. The research finds that while government bans on plastics are effective, voluntary approaches that respect individual choice can also make a difference. Understanding what motivates people to reduce plastic use is key to tackling the microplastic pollution problem at its source.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Extending the theory of planned behaviour to investigate the issue of microplastics in the marine environment

Researchers extended the theory of planned behaviour to investigate public attitudes toward marine microplastic pollution, finding that environmental awareness and perceived behavioral control significantly predicted consumers' intentions to reduce microplastic-generating product use.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Public knowledge of microplastics for pro-environmental behavior

Researchers analyzed public knowledge of microplastics and its relationship to pro-environmental behavior, finding that because microplastics are invisible to the naked eye, public perception depends entirely on external information sources rather than direct experience, with implications for environmental communication strategies.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Frequent Plastic Usage Behavior and Lack of Microplastic Awareness Correlates with Cognitive Decline: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey examining the relationship between frequent single-use plastic consumption and cognitive function. The study found that frequent single-use plastic consumption was linked to poorer cognitive outcomes, while awareness of microplastic risks and risk perception did not directly affect cognition. The findings suggest that educational strategies may help enhance public awareness and reduce plastic exposure.

2026 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Article Tier 2

Is the public really concerned about microplastics? The importance of measuring everyday relevance and behavioral intentions as well as stated concern

Researchers surveyed over 2,200 citizens in Germany and Italy to examine whether public concern about microplastics translates into everyday relevance and behavioral change. While stated concern was high in both countries, most people reported thinking or talking about microplastics only rarely, though they still expressed willingness to take action to reduce exposure. The study found that both stated concern and everyday relevance mediated the link between knowledge about microplastics and intentions to change behavior.

2026 Journal of Environmental Psychology