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A Cross-Cultural Analysis for Plastic Waste Perception of Students from Romania and Turkey

Author

Listed:
  • Graţiela Dana Boca

    (Department of Economics, Faculty of Sciences, Technical University of Cluj Napoca, 430122 Baia Mare, Romania)

  • Arzum Ișitan

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Pamukkale University, Kinikli Kampus, 20160 Denizli, Turkey)

  • Evren Çağlarer

    (Department of Mechatronic, Technology Faculty, Kırklareli University, 39100 Kırklareli, Turkey)

  • Sinan Saraçli

    (Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Balıkesir University, 10145 Balıkesir, Turkey)

Abstract

The article brings to attention a cross cultural model related to the perception of students in relation to the current problem of plastic waste. To create the model, a questionnaire was applied online in two countries at the same time, among students from different specializations. The survey was structured in several parts, with the first part meant to identify individual characteristics of the responders, the second part to identify their knowledge about plastic, determine their beliefs in the new material—bioplastic, their preference in using plastic or bioplastic, and the last part meant to determine students’ attitude towards the environment. The model wants to highlight the preferences and knowledge of students about plastic, the degree of information and students’ knowledge about plastic waste, and if these are influenced by culture; in our case, the country was considered. Also, we established that gender or specialization have no influence on the perception of bioplastic. A total of 39.79% of the students from both countries participate in and attend conferences about nature protection and plastic waste, and only 58.69% of the students do not participate in any conferences about nature conservation or recycling materials. As a conclusion, we can mention that Turkish students are more responsible and more active in environmental activities regarding plastic waste in comparison with Romanian students. In comparison with Romanian students, Turkish students are more careful when it comes to recycling waste plastic and when choosing products that are less harmful to nature. The young generation is open to selective recycling, even if they sometimes do not follow the established rules. Based on this model, common problems can be identified and universities, as incubators of ideas, can welcome the use of the necessary methods and tools to stimulate care and students’ awareness of the environment and its protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Graţiela Dana Boca & Arzum Ișitan & Evren Çağlarer & Sinan Saraçli, 2023. "A Cross-Cultural Analysis for Plastic Waste Perception of Students from Romania and Turkey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-24, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:24:p:16594-:d:1294948
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gratiela Dana Boca & Sinan Saraçli, 2023. "Effects of Romanian Student’s Awareness and Needs Regarding Plastic Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Loveth Daisy Aikowe & Jana Mazancová, 2021. "Plastic Waste Sorting Intentions among University Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Nguyen, Hien Thi, 2023. "Impacts of Education and Perception on Vietnamese High School Students' Behaviors Regarding Plastic Waste : The Mediating Role of Attitude," OSF Preprints zn2k7, Center for Open Science.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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