Plastic realities: unpacking public awareness, attitudes and practices regarding plastic usage among residents of diverse backgrounds in Western Maharashtra
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20260694Keywords:
Bisphenol A, Plastic pollution, Sustainable behaviour, Urban community, Waste managementAbstract
Background: Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to ecosystems and human health, particularly in developing countries where a gap often persists between public awareness and sustainable action. Despite a widespread awareness campaign being conducted using different mass media tools, public understanding and behavioural change remain inconsistent. This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding plastic use and waste management among residents of an urban community in Western Maharashtra and identifies demographic factors influencing sustainable behaviour.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was performed in 434 participants selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a validated, pretested KAP questionnaire covering sociodemographic variables, awareness of plastic hazards and waste-handling practices. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS v26. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regression identified associations between KAP components and sociodemographic factors.
Results: Almost all participants (96%) recognized plastic pollution as a global issue and 85% supported government regulation. Additionally, 27% were aware of chemical risks, such as Bisphenol A and only 20% were aware of the quantity of plastic waste produced locally. Education showed a significant association with knowledge and attitudes, whereas age and occupation influenced certain waste-management behaviours.
Conclusions: The study revealed strong general awareness but weaker specific knowledge and inconsistent eco-friendly practices. Educational status emerged as the determinant of environmental literacy. Strengthening community-based education, promoting affordable alternatives and reinforcing waste-management systems are vital to transform awareness into sustained behavioural change.
Metrics
References
LENKIEWICZ Z. Global Waste Management Outlook 2024. Beyond an age of waste: Turning rubbish into a resource. United Nations Environment Programme. Nairobi, Quênia. 2024.
Ogutu F, Kathambi B. Missed Potentials of Recycling in Urban Planning: Case of East African Cities. InSmart Cities-Designing the Future of Urban Living. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1011731
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution. UNEP-UN Environment Programme. 2024. Available at: https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution. Accesse on 21 September 2025.
Leslie HA, van Velzen MJM, Brandsma SH, Vethaak AD, Garcia-Vallejo JJ, Lamoree MH. Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood. Environ Int. 2022;163:107199. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107199
Geyer R, Jambeck JR, Law KL. Production, use and fate of all plastics ever made. Sci Adv. 2017;3(7):1700782. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1700782
Datta S, Chauhan A, Ranjan A, Sardar AH, Tuli HS, Ramniwas S, et al. A Comparative Review on Bisphenol A Sources, Environmental Levels, Migration and Health Impacts in India and Global Context. Nat Environ Pollut Technol. 2024;1;23(2):1095–104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46488/NEPT.2024.v23i02.043
Geneva Environment Network. Plastics and human health. 2024. Available at: https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/plastics-and-health. Accessed on 21 September 2025.
Singh KDP, Mathur A. Plastic pollution in India: an evaluation of public awareness and consumption behaviour. OIDA Int J Sustain Dev. 2019;12(7):25–40.
Ramaswamy V, Sharma H. Plastic bags - Threat to environment and cattle health: A retrospective study from Gondar city of Ethiopia. IIOAB J. 2011;2:7–12.
Saifi N, Jha B. An overview of solid waste management practices in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Nature Env Pol Technol. 2024;23(2):923-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46488/NEPT.2024.v23i02.027
Gold M, Mika K, Horowitz C, Herzog M. Stemming the tide of plastic litter: a global action agenda. Tul Envtl LJ. 2013;27:165.
Schnurr REJ, Alboiu V, Chaudhary M, Corbett RA, Quanz ME, Sankar K, et al. Reducing marine pollution from single-use plastics (SUPs): A review. Mar Pollut Bull. 2018;137:157–71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.001
Evode N, Qamar SA, Bilal M, Barceló D, Iqbal HM. Plastic waste and its management strategies for environmental sustainability. Case stud Chem Environm Eng. 2021;4:100142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2021.100142
Mourgkogiannis N, Kalavrouziotis IK, Karapanagioti HK. Questionnaire-based survey to managers of 101 wastewater treatment plants in Greece confirms their potential as plastic marine litter sources. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2018;133:822-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.044
Joseph J, Prasanth K, Viswanath S, Joseph J. Assessment of Awareness, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Environmental Pollution Caused by Single-Use Plastic Bags: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2025;17(4):818. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.82904
Masilamani N, Ganapathy D. Awareness of plastic pollution among dental students. Int J Psychosoc Rehabil. 2019;23(5):1008–14.
Sharma P, Bhagat P, Mandal MB, Singh TB. Assessment of Awareness Regarding Health Hazards of Plastic Chemicals and their Warning Label among a Sample Population of Varanasi City: A Cross-sectional Study. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2021;13(2):1428–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_240_21
PS, NBS, SG. Awareness, acceptance and practice of plastic ban legislation among residents of an urban area in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu: a cross sectional study. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2019;7(1):256. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20195863
Haripriya P, Sendhilvadivu DM. Review on Impacts of Bisphenol A. Int J Sci Res IJSR. 2021;10(3,):1624–6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21275/SR21326132044
Caminiti C, Diodati F, Puntoni M, Balan D, Maglietta G. Surveys of Knowledge and Awareness of Plastic Pollution and Risk Reduction Behavior in the General Population: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025;22(2):177. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020177
Khamphaya T, Pouyfung P, Kuraeiad S, Vattanasit U, Yimthiang S. Current Aspect of Bisphenol A Toxicology and Its Health Effects. Trends Sci. 2021;18(21):408–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2021.408
Balkhis NS, Mahat H, Hashim M. Environmentally-literate citizenry among Malaysian youth to produce responsible environmental behaviour. Akademika. 2021;91(1):97–107.
Shri GU, Tiwari RR. Environmental Literacy among College Students. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2021;25(3):128–32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_141_20
Prabhakaran DN, Kaniambady DS. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards usage of plastic in daily life among students of an integrated campus in Anjarakandy, Kannur. J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol. 2025;32(6):983–92.
Mishra P, Jain T, Motiani M. Have green, pay more: an empirical investigation of consumer’s attitude towards green packaging in an emerging economy. In: Sarkar R, Shaw A, editors. Essays on sustainability and management: emerging perspectives. Singapore: Springer. 2017:125–50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3123-6_7
Pathak D, Malakar D. Willingness to pay more for green products: a challenge for young consumers. EuroMed J Manag. 2024;6(4):281–93. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/EMJM.2024.144334
Liobikienė G, Juknys R. The role of values, environmental risk perception, awareness of consequences and willingness to assume responsibility for environmentally-friendly behaviour: the Lithuanian case. J Clean Prod. 2016;112:3413–22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.10.049
Sena SB, Aydın N. Investigation of waste characteristics and recycling behaviour at educational institutes. Waste Manag. 2024;180:115–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2024.03.036
Shankar GK, Kannan L. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding household solid waste disposal among residents of an urban area in Chennai. Parippex Indian J Res. 2023;1:13–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36106/paripex/6400528
Demġrbağ BC, GÜNGÖRMÜġ Z. The knowledge and behaviors of individuals regarding the management of domestic solid waste. University J Health Sci. 2012;1(3):1382.
Ile AL, Caizer AD, Dragan A. Challenges in transitioning to a circular economy: a spatial analysis of socioeconomic factors affecting adoption of the deposit-return system. Environments. 2025;12(5):142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12050142
Srinivasan N, Swarnapriya V, Felix AJW, Pravin T. Assessment of knowledge and practice on plastics among the professional course students of Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2019;24;6(2):510–4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20190099
Shaira H, Ismail IM, Ahmed N, Zeena N, Arooj P, Shreya P, et al. Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Single Use Plastics among the Residents of a Rural Area in a Coastal District of Karnataka - A Descriptive Study. Natl J Community Med. 2020;11(02):87–92. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/njcm.20200207094558
Chakravarthy BGS. Environmental Pollution Caused by Plastic Products-Awareness, Attitude and Its Usage and Recycling- A Cross-Sectional Study in an Urban Area in Chengelpet District. J Chem Health Risks. 2025;15(4):2707–18.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
