Annotated Bibliography on Plastic Waste Awareness and Management

This annotated bibliography examines the critical issue of plastic waste management, focusing on the awareness and attitudes of students at both secondary and university levels. The first entry reviews a study conducted in Sharjah city, UAE, which assesses secondary school students' knowledge and perceptions of plastic pollution. The study reveals that while a majority of students recognize the harmful effects of plastic waste, there's a gap in practical measures for waste reduction. The second entry explores initiatives for campus greening through waste management, specifically the 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) approach, and its impact on student behavior. It highlights the importance of behavioral change and the need for further research to quantify the health impacts of plastic waste. Both entries offer insights into the current state of student awareness, the effectiveness of waste management strategies, and the need for improved environmental education and action. This bibliography aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the issue, offering valuable information for students and researchers alike, and is available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and resources.

COMMUNICATION
[Author Name(s), First M. Last, Omit Titles and Degrees]
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Introduction
Plastic waste accumulation affects not only the present generation due to the ugly and filthy
appearance in various places in the world but also poses a greater threat to future generation
lives. Creation of awareness among the "informed group" like secondary and University students
should be treated as a step towards having a sustainable environment in various countries. This
particular paper presents a preview of articles that evaluates the attitude of students on matters to
do with plastic waste management.
Hammami, M. B. A., Mohammed, E. Q., Hashem, A. M., Al-Khafaji, M. A., Alqahtani, F.,
Alzaabi, S., & Dash, N. (2017). Survey on awareness and attitudes of secondary school students
regarding plastic pollution: implications for environmental education and public health in
Sharjah city, UAE. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(25), 20626-20633.
Description
The issue of pollution from plastics is becoming a global reality since the industrial revolution in
the eighteenth century. It is therefore important to assess the attitude and knowledge about
plastic pollution among secondary school students in the city of Sharjah. This particular article
presents a study which was conducted among over 400 students in 6 different schools at the
secondary levels. There was distribution or administration of questionnaire via probability
stratified random method of sampling between the April and February in the year 2016.
Evaluation
Strengths

The article has boldly elaborated with evidence the level of plastic damage awareness among the
secondary students and this is regarded as its strength. From the study, it was discovered that
most of the students seemed to understand the harmful nature of the plastics to the environment.
Statistically speaking this particular group accounted for over 85.5%. of 600 participants.
Weaknesses
Although the writer has supported the argument on plastic waste impacts with figures, the article
has failed to include the practical measures which can be used to completely eradicate the
impacts. The suggestions appear more theoretical.
Significance/Usefulness
The article has significantly contributed to shedding of more light on the impacts of plastics on
the lives of secondary students. Some of the key strategies which have been used that includes
practical approach have enhanced understanding among the secondary students. As the reader of
this article I would recommend it not only to the secondary students but also upper primary. The
paper has merited in changing the behaviour of the secondary students. In other words, changing
the behavior of the students to be proactive as well as environmental conservation is concerned
will be better than being reactive to an already polluted environment. Further research should
focus on how to introduce similar program of plastic waste awareness in upper primary.
Tangwanichagapong, S., Nitivattananon, V., Mohanty, B., & Visvanathan, C. (2017). Greening
of campus through waste management initiatives: Experience from a higher education institution
in Thailand. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 18(2), 203-217.
Description

There were positive effects on students' attitudes by 3R plastic waste management initiatives. It
was however discovered that the initiatives did not in any way affect the behavior of plastic
waste management and recycling. This implies that a voluntary approach alone cannot bring
about changes in the behaviour.
Evaluation
Strengths
The author of this particular article has effectively elaborated the concept of 3R (reuse, reduce
and recycle) in plastic waste management. While using the right choice of words the author has
pointed out the positive impacts that 3R solid waste initiative have on the environmental attitude.
As a reader the, the presence of the initiative of 3R has created very accurate understanding
about the possible option in the case of sustainable waste management.
Weaknesses
The writer advocates for behavioral change as part of plastic waste management. This is not
practical as population constitute people of different characters and attitudes.
Usefulness
The article has therefore contributed fully in addressing the literature gap about the attitude of 3R
as well as the resulting behavior as part of the sustainability on campus. It provided more details
on the impacts of the plastic pollution. This article is not only useful to the campus students but
also to community around the campus. I would highly recommend this article to all college and

non-college students. As for further research, the study should be done to quantify the degree or
the extent of damage of which plastic cause to human health.