Evaluation of the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Plastic Waste as Environmental Nuisance of Students at Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices towards plastic waste as environmental nuisance of students at Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam using 240 students from four training units including Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Engineering Technology, School of Economics and College of Agriculture. The results showed that students of faculties/schools/colleges were relatively aware of the harmful effects of plastic waste on the environment and human health. However, students still use a variety of plastic products including plastic cups and bottles (accounting for 27%), styrofoam boxes and plastic bags (25%), plastic straws (accounting for 21%), and plastic food containers and food wraps (19%) and plastic tableware sets (accounting for 8%) with 1-3 products per day, mainly due to convenience and initiative supplier's offer. It is estimated that the amount of plastic waste daily generated at Can Tho University is about 748 kg. However, a relatively high percentage of students are very willing to implement regulations and community activities to control and limit plastic waste generated (ranging from 45-93%), but plastic waste sorting was limited accounting for 42%. Students are also very willing to use environmentally friendly products to replace plastic products ranging from 60-74%, showing the feasibility of implementing relevant solutions. There are four groups of factors affecting students' practices to reduce the use of plastic products, including (1) the popularity of substitute products, (2) policies and legislation, (3) groups of relatives and friends, and (4) influential groups in society. A number of solutions to improve students' awareness and practice of using plastic products have been proposed.