IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i2p1164-d1028676.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • Ka Ker Coco Chin

    (School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia)

  • Janardan Mahanta

    (Department of Statistics, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh)

  • Tapan Kumar Nath

    (School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia)

Abstract

Excessive production, consumption, and indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste contribute to plastic pollution, which has a negative impact on the environment and human health. The KAP (knowledge, attitude, and practices) study is thought to be useful in mitigating plastic pollution because understanding the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practices toward plastic pollution can help identify problems and challenges, allowing appropriate policy decisions to be made to set up plans or implement interventions. This study assesses Malaysians’ level of knowledge, attitude, and practices toward plastic pollution, as well as the variation of plastic pollution related to KAP among various socio-demographic groups. For this study, an online survey received 294 valid responses. Descriptive statistics, KAP scoring, and response cross-tabulation were calculated. This study received 294 valid responses via an online survey. Descriptive statistics, KAP scoring, and response cross-tabulation were estimated. A one-way analysis of variance, paired t-test, and binary logistic regressions was performed. Respondents’ overall knowledge score (95% CI mean score: 3.88–10.94 on a scale of 11) and practice score (95% CI 1.09–6.53 on a scale of 6) were poor across socio-demographics when a cut point of 80% was used. Older (>46 years) respondents seemed to have more knowledge than younger (18–30 years) respondents (odds ratio, OR 4.304; p < 0.01). However, respondents between the ages of 31 and 45 reported significantly ( p < 0.01) higher attitudes (OR 4.019) and practices (OR 4.056; p < 0.05). Respondents with environmental-related university education had a higher likelihood of knowing about plastic pollution (OR 10.343; p < 0.01). To encourage good practices toward minimizing plastic use and pollution, conclusions are drawn about undertaking interventions such as raising environmental awareness, incorporating plastic pollution topics into formal and informal education, and providing recycling facilities in nearby communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Ka Ker Coco Chin & Janardan Mahanta & Tapan Kumar Nath, 2023. "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices toward Plastic Pollution among Malaysians: Implications for Minimizing Plastic Use and Pollution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:2:p:1164-:d:1028676
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/2/1164/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/2/1164/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Moh, YiingChiee & -->Abd Manaf, Latifah, 2017. "Solid waste management transformation and future challenges of source separation and recycling practice in Malaysia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 1-14.
    2. Nicholas Oguge & Francis Oremo & Salome Adhiambo, 2021. "Investigating the Knowledge and Attitudes towards Plastic Pollution among the Youth in Nairobi, Kenya," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Irina Zen & Rahmalan Ahamad & Wahid Omar, 2013. "No plastic bag campaign day in Malaysia and the policy implication," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 15(5), pages 1259-1269, October.
    4. Kristyna Rybova, 2019. "Do Sociodemographic Characteristics in Waste Management Matter? Case Study of Recyclable Generation in the Czech Republic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Laura De Pretto & Stephen Acreman & Matthew J Ashfold & Suresh K Mohankumar & Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, 2015. "The Link between Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Relation to Atmospheric Haze Pollution in Peninsular Malaysia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-18, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nur Baizura Aini Abdullah & Nor Azwany Yaacob & Razan Ab Samat & Ahmad Filza Ismail, 2022. "Knowledge, Readiness and Barriers of Street Food Hawkers to Support the Single-Use Plastic Reduction Program in Northeast Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Soltanian, Salman & Kalogirou, Soteris A. & Ranjbari, Meisam & Amiri, Hamid & Mahian, Omid & Khoshnevisan, Benyamin & Jafary, Tahereh & Nizami, Abdul-Sattar & Gupta, Vijai Kumar & Aghaei, Siavash & Pe, 2022. "Exergetic sustainability analysis of municipal solid waste treatment systems: A systematic critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    3. Yongtao Gan & Jian Gao & Jiahao Zhang & Xia Wu & Tian Zhang & Mengjun Shao, 2022. "University Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Related to Marine Environment Pollution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Hatem Abushammala & Salma Taqi Ghulam, 2022. "Impact of Residents’ Demographics on Their Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Waste Management at the Household Level in the United Arab Emirates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    5. Giuseppe T. Cirella & Alessio Russo, 2019. "Special Issue Sustainable Interdisciplinarity: Human–Nature Relations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-5, December.
    6. Xuemeng Zhang & Chao Liu & Yuexi Chen & Guanghong Zheng & Yinguang Chen, 2022. "Source separation, transportation, pretreatment, and valorization of municipal solid waste: a critical review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(10), pages 11471-11513, October.
    7. Olavo Pinto & Beatriz Casais, 2023. "Multilevel implications for anti-consumption social marketing within the public policy framework for SDG realization: a systematic literature review," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 20(3), pages 605-634, September.
    8. Natasha Juliana & Suddin Lada & Brahim Chekima & Azaze-Azizi Abdul Adis, 2022. "Exploring Determinants Shaping Recycling Behavior Using an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior Model: An Empirical Study of Households in Sabah, Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-13, April.
    9. Bishal Bharadwaj, 2016. "Plastic Bag Ban in Nepal: Enforcement and Effectiveness," Working Papers id:11548, eSocialSciences.
    10. Yong Li & Bairong Wang, 2021. "Go Green and Recycle: Analyzing the Usage of Plastic Bags for Shopping in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-10, November.
    11. Yousif Mohammed Elmosaad & Ahmed M. Al Rajeh & Maria Blesilda B. Llaguno & Sami Saad Alqaimi & Ali Mohammed Alsalman & Ali Yousif Alkishi & Hassan Hussain & Mohammed Ahmed Alhoudaib & Othman Saad Alna, 2023. "Self-Reported Household Waste Recycling and Segregation Practices among Families in Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    12. Ismaila Rimi Abubakar & Khandoker M. Maniruzzaman & Umar Lawal Dano & Faez S. AlShihri & Maher S. AlShammari & Sayed Mohammed S. Ahmed & Wadee Ahmed Ghanem Al-Gehlani & Tareq I. Alrawaf, 2022. "Environmental Sustainability Impacts of Solid Waste Management Practices in the Global South," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-26, October.
    13. Yanyan Jiang & Lichi Zhang & Junmin Wu, 2023. "Evolutionary Game Study of Waste Separation Policy in the Context of the “Double Carbon” Target," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, May.
    14. Soomro, Yasir Ali, 2018. "Does subliminal advertisement affect consumer behavior? An exploratory comparative analysis between marketing and non-marketing professionals," MPRA Paper 92124, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Muhammad Nawaz & Muhammad Tariq Yousafzai & Salim Khan & Wisal Ahmad & Muhammad Salman & Heesup Han & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Alejandro Vega-Muñoz, 2021. "Assessing the Formal and Informal Waste Recycling Business Processes through a Stakeholders Lens in Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-16, October.
    16. Prashant Pandey & Manisha Dhiman & Priyanka Chopra & Amit Adlakha, 2023. "Investigating the Role of Tourists and Impact of Knowledge, Behaviour, and Attitude Towards Plastic Waste Generation," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 1013-1027, June.
    17. Fang Liu & Zhi Liu, 2022. "Quantitative Evaluation of Waste Separation Management Policies in the Yangtze River Delta Based on the PMC Index Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-24, March.
    18. Elżbieta Antczak, 2020. "Regionally Divergent Patterns in Factors Affecting Municipal Waste Production: The Polish Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-25, August.
    19. Yong Li & Bairong Wang & Yunyu Li, 2023. "The Influence of the Big Five Personality Traits on Residents’ Plastic Reduction Attitudes in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-12, May.
    20. Corrado lo Storto, 2021. "Eco-Productivity Analysis of the Municipal Solid Waste Service in the Apulia Region from 2010 to 2017," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-21, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:2:p:1164-:d:1028676. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.