Plastic Waste Sorting Intentions among University Students

Abstract

This paper focuses on plastic waste sorting intentions to address municipal solid waste challenges in developing countries. This study also adapts the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in evaluating the determinants of plastic waste sorting intentions among Nigerian students. Nine hundred and thirty-nine respondents participated through questionnaire surveys. Findings of structural equation modelling depict that perceived behavioral control had the highest impact on the respondents’ plastic waste sorting intentions, followed by subjective norms; however, attitude was found to be insignificant and TPB explained 77% of the variance in waste sorting intentions. The importance of other influencing factors is also considered such as environmental awareness, volunteering, and study program in evaluating plastic waste sorting intentions and these factors were found to be statistically significant. Therefore, the results from this study add to the limited body of information on the application of TPB and other influencing factors in the study of plastic waste sorting in Nigeria. The findings also provide suggestions to current and prospective policymakers on the relevance of introducing waste sorting management practices such as recycling bins in Nigerian university premises and campaigns for waste sorting and recycling activities.

People, plastic, and behaviour change – a comment on drivers of plastic pollution, barriers to change and targeted behaviour change interventions

“…Other studies used extended versions of TPB and included elements such as environmental awareness, 22,24,25 habit 17,31 and social norms, 16,31,32 which were all found to be significant in predicting behaviour change. This further emphasises the need for a more extensive model to examine plastic behaviour change.…”

“…Despite a general agreement on the applicability of the TPB in predicting plasticrelated behaviour change, [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] there was is a lack of consensus on which of the elements of TPB -PBC, subjective norms or attitudehave the most inuence on plastic-related behaviour change. For some studies the ndings suggested PBC was the most important in plastic behaviour change, [24][25][26][27] for others it was subjective norms, 28,29 and others it was attitude. 29,30 However, these studies took place in a range of locations with varying cultural approaches to waste management, and varying access to recycling facilities.…”

Environmental Awareness and Plastic Recycling Behaviour of Nigerian Undergraduates

“…In plastic waste sorting among Nigerian university students, findings have revealed that subjective norm creates the foundation of social expectations on students to sort plastic waste (16). Subjective norms as recommended by Ajzen (17) contains two attributes, injunctive norms (i.e., what is expected of the students by individuals they look up to) and descriptive norms (what social norm determines is appropriate behaviour) (18).…”

“…A primary recommendation for universities in Nigeria is to develop their extracurricular activities as it relates to environmental behaviour as one study in Nigeria revealed that over 80% of the student sample population do not belong to an environmental volunteering program within or outside the university (16). These projects may include hands-on internships or training for students by collaborating with federal or state environmental bodies or other environmental agencies in the region.…”

Overview on the Key Figures with Impact on the Circular Economy Through the Life Cycle of Plastics

“…As a result of four main reasons which contribute to the plastic packaging pollution, the findings of some authors [2] have suggested that regulators, alongside with delivery platforms and consumers, should all work together to avoid pollution as much as possible and fight for a sustainable consumption. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) applied in empirical studies [3] for evaluating the determinants of plastic waste sorting intentions among Nigerian students, offered suggestions to policy makers on the importance of introducing practices and implementing waste management measures in the Nigerian university. Remaining on the African side, we found an investigation form of a case study, with data derived from an educational project focused on plastics as a vehicle for environmental education, stated that an increased consumption of plastics, is generating an exponential rise in plastic waste [4].…”