How can we test plastic pollution perceptions and behavior? A feasibility study with Danish children participating in "the Mass Experiment"

Exploring waste separation using an extended theory of planned behavior: a comparison between adults and children

This study applied an extended model of the theory of planed behavior (TPB) to compare the differences in waste separation behavior between children (ages 9 to 12, N = 339) and adults (ages 18 to 66, N = 379). We examined the relations among waste separation attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, knowledge, awareness, intention, and behavior. The results showed waste separation knowledge of children was less than that of adults. Structure equation model results also revealed robust differences between children and adults. For adults, TPB variables (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) and knowledge are significantly positively related to their waste separation intention. Meanwhile, perceived behavioral control and intention are positively related to adults' behavior. However, for children, only perceived behavioral control and awareness are positively related to intention, and perceived behavioral control is positively related to behavior. Moreover, the predictive power of the extended TPB model on children's waste separation intention and behavior are lower than those of adults. The different results may be due to children's immature cognitive abilities. This study enhanced the understanding of the different waste separation behavior determinants between children and adults. The findings are useful for developing tailored policies and promoting children's waste separation behavior.

Impacts of education and perception on Vietnamese high school students' behaviors regarding plastic waste: the mediating role of attitude

This study analyzed the impact of educational, perception, and attitudinal factors on the plastic waste behavior of high school students in Vietnam. A cross-sectional research design and questionnaire survey method were used to collect data from 573 high school students. All the statistical analyses and hypothesis tests were performed using SPSS 26 and AmoS 20 software. Research results show that perception does not directly affect students' behavior toward the plastic waste problem (B = 0.051, p = 0.201 > 0.05, CI = [- 0.027; 0.130]) but has an indirect impact through attitude mediation, with an impact coefficient of B = 0.107 (p = 0.016 < 0.05, CI = [0.042; 0.177]). Educational factors positively impact students' behavior toward plastic waste through both direct effects, with an impact coefficient of B = 0.546 (p = 0.00 < 0.05, CI = [0.473; 0.620], and indirect effects, mediated by attitude, with an impact coefficient of B = 0.017 (p = 0.007 < 0.05, CI = [0.003; 0.037]). These findings are new compared to previous studies, contributing to enriching theories related to behavior toward the plastic waste problem and bringing practical significance to Vietnam. The findings of this study provide the basis for proposing measures to improve plastic waste behaviors for Vietnamese high school students.

Impact of the citizen science project COLLECT on ocean literacy and well-being within a north/west African and south-east Asian context

Plastic pollution is both a societal and environmental problem and citizen science has shown to be a useful tool to engage both the public and professionals in addressing it. However, knowledge on the educational and behavioral impacts of citizen science projects focusing on marine litter remains limited. Our preregistered study investigates the impact of the citizen science project Citizen Observation of Local Litter in coastal ECosysTems (COLLECT) on the participants' ocean literacy, pro-environmental intentions and attitudes, well-being, and nature connectedness, using a pretest-posttest design. A total of 410 secondary school students from seven countries, in Africa (Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria) and Asia (Malaysia) were trained to sample plastics on sandy beaches and to analyze their collection in the classroom. Non-parametric statistical tests (n = 239 matched participants) demonstrate that the COLLECT project positively impacted ocean literacy (i.e., awareness and knowledge of marine litter, self-reported litter-reducing behaviors, attitudes towards beach litter removal). The COLLECT project also led to higher pro-environmental behavioral intentions for students in Benin and Ghana (implying a positive spillover effect) and higher well-being and nature connectedness for students in Benin. Results are interpreted in consideration of a high baseline in awareness and attitudes towards marine litter, a low internal consistency of pro-environmental attitudes, the cultural context of the participating countries, and the unique settings of the project's implementation. Our study highlights the benefits and challenges of understanding how citizen science impacts the perceptions and behaviors towards marine litter in youth from the respective regions.

Bottle with a message: The role of story writing as an engagement tool to explore children's perceptions of marine plastic litter

As human behaviors play a crucial role in addressing the global threat of plastic pollution, it is vital to understand perceptions about marine plastic litter (MPL) and to develop interventions encouraging pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). This study evaluates story writing as a window to explore perceptions and as an engagement activity to boost PEBs. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, schoolchildren from the East Pacific coast participated in this activity, each creating a story and answering a pre-post survey. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of 81 stories and 79 surveys show awareness of sources and impacts. Participants identified land and local pollution as significant contributors to MPL and emphasized bio-ecological impacts, reflecting concern for landscape and wildlife. While the stories presented a diversity of solutions, recycling dominated the surveys. As participants reported an increase in self-assessed knowledge and improved PEBs after this activity, it can be seen as an engagement tool to encourage behavior change.

The ecological impact of plastic pollution in a changing climate

Assessing three interlinked issues, plastic pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss separately can overlook potential interactions that may lead to positive or negative impacts on global ecosystem processes. Recent studies suggest that threatened species and ecosystems are vulnerable to both plastic pollution and climate change stressors. Here we consider the connectivity and state of knowledge between these three environmental issues with a focus on the Global South. Nine out of top ten Long-Term Climate Risk Index (CRI) (2000-2019) ranked countries are located within the Global South, yet research is focused in the Global North. A literature search for the top ten Long-Term Climate Risk Index (CRI) (2000-2019) ranked countries matched a total of 2416 (3.3% of global publications) search results on climate change, with 56 (4% of the global publications) on plastic pollution, and seven (7.7% of the global publications) on both climate change and plastic pollution. There is a strong correlation between the Global South and high biodiversity hotspots, high food insecurity and low environmental performance. Using Bangladesh as a case study, we show the erosion rates and sea level rise scenarios that will increase ocean-bound plastic pollution and impact high biodiversity areas. Poverty alleviation and promoting renewable energy and green practices can significantly reduce the stress on the environment. We recommend that these connected planetary threats can be best addressed through a holistic and collaborative approach to research, a focus on the Global South, and an ambitious policy agenda.

Citizen science in marine litter research: A review

Citizen science (CS) can help to tackle the emerging and worldwide problem of marine litter (ML), from collecting data to engaging different stakeholders. We reviewed what and how the scientific literature is reporting CS on ML to identify possible gaps to be improved. The 92 search results (separate occasions when 48 different CS initiatives were discussed across 85 publication records) revealed an under-representation of studies in developing regions. Most search results focused on the science of ML, whilst information regarding citizen scientists was commonly vague or missing, preventing critical analysis of good practices on this aspect. The studies concentrated on the shoreline and did not harmonize types and sizes of items collected, thus precluding data meta-analyses. The standardisation of CS methods and approaches and the detailed report of aspects related to citizen scientists are essential to support the science we need for the advances in CS efforts to face ML.

Factors in enhancing environmental governance for marine plastic litter abatement in Manila, the Philippines: A combined structural equation modeling and DPSIR framework

This empirical study examines the factors enhancing environmental governance for marine plastic litter abatement in Manila, the Philippines. We use a combined covariance-based hybrid structural equation modeling (SEM) and DPSIR framework, with data collected via an online survey from 456 barangays in Manila, the Philippines. The survey was processed and analyzed using a combined model, validated through interviews and focused group discussions. With Higher-Order Model good internal consistency (0.917) and achieved measures of CFI (0.992), RMSEA (0.036), and SRMR (0.019), the findings revealed that environmental governance (COVID-19 waste), community participation, socio-economic factors, and solution measures have positively affected marine plastic litter (MPL) abatement. Notwithstanding, environmental governance (SWM policies and guidelines) has a negative impact on MPL abatement. There is, however, no link between waste infrastructure and MPL abatement. The findings provide significant perspectives in Manila to enhance environmental governance for MPL abatement. This paper presents policy-actions implications drawn from DPSIR-SEM.