scholarly journals A Pilot Assessment of a ‘Plastic Free Community’ Initiative, Respective Community Actions and Residents’ Behavior

Microplastics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-66
Author(s):  
Anna MacDonald ◽  
Deonie Allen ◽  
Elsa João
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Community Initiative ◽  
Single Use

The problems of plastic pollution are increasing and have been linked to sustainability efforts. Some communities have tried to tackle this issue by implementing ‘plastic free’ initiatives, such as the ‘Plastic Free Community’. Community initiatives foster change and encourage improved environmental outcomes; however, it is unclear if ‘plastic free’ initiatives have the capacity to ‘snowball’ into further sustainable behaviors or if they are a ‘distraction’ from more pressing environmental issues. This study presents the behavioral changes, snowball and distraction effects from the first Scottish mainland ‘plastic free community’ initiative. The pilot study of ‘Plastic Free Anstruther’ (Scotland) identifies self-transcending values and locus of control as important drivers for change, but adoption of single-use plastic alternatives and a ‘single use’ mindset resulted in a limited ‘snowball’ effect. Future ‘Plastic Free Community’ initiatives should focus on encouraging more circular approaches and individual behavior change to reduce waste and improve environmental outcomes. While the initiative resulted in greater awareness of wider environmental issues, additional incentives for individual and business pro-environmental behavior could further improve economic, social and environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Environmental Awareness and the Use of Disposable Plastic

2020 ◽  
Vol 03 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Araya Wongklaw ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
School Students ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Single Use ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Disposable Plastic ◽  
Plastic Products

Disposable plastic pollution has become one of the biggest environmental issues. It is evident that single-use plastic products are cheap, versatile, lightweight, resistant, easily available everywhere, which has made them very popular among people around the globe. However, in many countries, single-use plastic shopping bags are the main source of rubbish, causing pollution impacting the environment and biodiversity. Although a lot of people understand harmful effects of plastic pollution, most people still keep using single-use plastic products. Due to these problems, our study aims to 1) understand the relationship between awareness about plastic pollution and the use of disposable plastic products, 2) explore students’ behaviors, knowledge, and awareness in reducing global warming caused by the overuse of plastic products, 3) observe the students’ attitude toward the impacts of disposable plastic pollution, and 4) raise participants’ awareness about environmental issues among a group of Thai high school students. Data were collected using a questionnaire asking about participants’ global warming knowledge, behaviors, and opinions about plastic usage. Survey samples, including Triamudomsuksanomklao students, were randomly selected through a random sampling method with a total of 307 students (100 males, 182 females, and 25 others). The majority of participants understood how harmful plastic pollution is to the environment. Our results revealed that participants’ knowledge and awareness were at high levels. Nevertheless, statistical analyses showed that there is a significant correlation between the level of awareness about plastic pollution and behavioral change, i.e. trying to avoid and reduce the use of one-time plastic bags or stop using plastic straws.

scholarly journals ECO-DESIGN ACTIONS TO IMPROVE LIFE CYCLE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF FACE MASKS IN THE PANDEMIC ERA

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1333-1342
Author(s):  
Núria Boix Rodríguez ◽  
Marco Marconi ◽  
Claudio Favi ◽  
Giovanni Formentini
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Environmental Problem ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Near Future

AbstractFace masks are currently considered essential devices that people must wear today and in the near future, until the COVID-19 pandemic will be completely defeated through specific medicines and vaccines. Such devices are generally made of thermoplastic polymers, as polypropylene and polyethylene and are single use products. Even if in this period the sanitary emergency must have the maximum priority, the world society should not completely forget the environmental problem that are causing more and more obvious climate changes with correlated damages to ecosystems and human health. Despite the well-known correlation among anti-COVID protective equipment (or more generally medical devices) and environmental issues, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and eco-design-based studies in this field is very scarce. The present study aims to derive the most important environmental criticalities of such products, by using LCA and product circularity indicators of five different common masks. The final aim is to provide eco-design guidelines, useful to design new face masks by preventing negative impact on the environment.

scholarly journals Potential for Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) in South Bihar, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3502
Author(s):  
Somnath Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Aviram Sharma ◽  
Satiprasad Sahoo ◽  
Kishore Dhavala ◽  
Prabhakar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Hard Rock ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Aquifer Storage And Recovery ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Aquifer Storage ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Surface Technique

Among the several options of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) techniques, the aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a well-known sub-surface technique to replenish depleted aquifers, which is contingent upon the selection of appropriate sites. This paper explores the potential of ASR for groundwater recharge in the hydrological, hydrogeological, social, and economic context of South Bihar in India. Based on the water samples from more than 137 wells and socio-economic surveys, ASR installations were piloted through seven selected entrepreneurial farmers in two villages of South Bihar. The feasibility of ASR in both hard rock and deep alluvial aquifers was demonstrated for the prominent aquifer types in the marginal alluvial plains of South Bihar and elsewhere. It was postulated through this pilot study that a successful spread of ASR in South Bihar can augment usable water resources for agriculture during the winter cropping season. More importantly, ASR can adapt to local circumstances and challenges under changing climatic conditions. The flexible and participatory approach in this pilot study also allowed the farmers to creatively engage with the design and governance aspects of the recharge pit. The entrepreneurial farmers-led model builds local accountability, creates avenues for private investments, and opens up the space for continued innovation in technology and management, while also committing to resource distributive justice and environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Attitudinal and behavioural segments on single-use plastics in Ghana: Implications for reducing marine plastic pollution

2021 ◽  
pp. 100185
Author(s):  
Dr Issahaku Adam ◽  
Dr Tony R. Walker ◽  
Dr Andrea Clayton ◽  
Dr Joana Carlos Bezerra
Keyword(s):  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Single Use

scholarly journals Fluorescent Tagging of Polymer Particles with PBN for the Detection of Microplastics in Personal Care Goods

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 567-577
Author(s):  
Eun-Hee Lee ◽  
Sangwon Lee ◽  
Seung-Woo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Primary Source ◽  
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate ◽  
Attenuated Total Reflection ◽  
Personal Care ◽  
Polymer Particles ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Irregular Shapes ◽  
Detection And Identification ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Fluorescent Tagging

Objectives : Plastic pollution has been aggravated due to the massive use of disposable products and single-use face masks since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. There is growing interest regarding detection and identification of plastic pollution in daily life. The aim of this study is (1) to investigate suitability of a fluorescent labelling method for the detection of polymers, (2) to detect microplastics in personal care goods, and (3) to identify the detected plastic particles.Methods : In order to detect plastic particles in real samples, a 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester (PBN) fluorophore was used as a dye for staining plastic particles. First, the capability of PBN was evaluated by staining a model polymer of polyethylene (PE) particles, and its desorption and photobleaching was also investigated. Using the optimum staining condition, microplastics were detected in a laboratory-controlled sample and commercially available products, specifically in cleansers, scrubs, and toothpastes. Finally, the detected microplastics were identified using an attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) analysis.Results and Discussion : The PE particles fluoresced blue light after being stained with PBN at a concentration of 100 μg/mL for 3-5 min without post treatments (e.g., fixation and drying), but the particles should be detected within 24 h due to the photobleaching of PBN. The desorption of PBN fluorophore occurred when the stained PE particles were washed with 25% acetone rather than rinse-off with deionized (DI) water. All of the tested personal care goods contained plastic particles and various sizes and shapes (e.g., spherical, rounded, and irregular shapes) of particles were found in different types and brands of products. The detected particles were identified as PE, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymers.Conclusions : The PBN was shown to effectively stain polymer particles and it allowed visual identification of microplastics in personal care goods. Various types and sizes of polymers were included into the commercially available products as ingredients, indicating a primary source of plastic pollution in aquatic environment.

scholarly journals Waste generation as a side impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: Communication on correct disposal of single-use face masks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Débora Tomaszewski
Keyword(s):  
Face Mask ◽  
Side Impact ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Visual Aids ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Regional Authorities ◽  
Primary Measure

The rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the resulting Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to urgent efforts to contain and mitigate transmission. The useof face masks became a primary measure to limit the spread, which increased the production and consequentwaste generation. It is estimated that globally 129 billion single-use face masks are discharged into the environment every month. Besides to add to already great concerns over plastic pollution, contaminated face masks not properly handled also poses a health risk. The health and environmental consequences caused by the inadequate disposal of single-use face masks are treated in this study as an eminent risk to be properly communicated. This study framed the waste generation as a side impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and analysed how the communication has been made regarding the correct disposal of single-use masks, with focus in users of public transport in Stockholm region. National and regional authorities are recognized as the main responsibles for the communication about correct disposal, together with manufacturers and suppliers of single-use face masks. Disclosure and informative material of four government authorities and instruction manuals of eight brands of single-use face masks are analysed according to: i) presence / absence of information (about the disposal); ii) type of communication (visual or written); iii) message transmitted and; ix) availability in other languages.It was found guidance about correct disposal of face mask in two thirds of the existing communication, that is mainly written and with few visual aids. Half of communication is made only in Swedish and with no sufficient focus on the importance of correct disposal neither with reference to trash bins with lid. It suggests that the current communication about how to disposesingle-use masks safelymay not be enough, which is affecting the perception of risk by the population and worsening the health and environmental consequencescaused by the inadequate disposal.

scholarly journals Design of a serious game for children to raise awareness on plastic pollution and promoting pro-environmental behaviors

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Loukia Panagiotopoulou ◽  
Nora Cía Gayarre ◽  
Giulia Wally Scurati ◽  
Roberta Etzi ◽  
Gemma Massetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Environmental Behaviors ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Great Production ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract The massive presence of plastic in the oceans, both in form of large debris and micro-plastic, is raising global concern due to its serious effects on the marine environment and fauna, causing loss of biodiversity and potentially threatening human health. Even though this is due to poor waste management, the great production and consumption of single-use plastic is a significant exacerbating factor. Despite policies and bans can be effective measures, there is also the need to raise consumers' awareness, so they can make more sustainable choices when purchasing, using and, dismissing products. In particular, educating young citizens and encouraging them to engage in pro-environmental behaviors is a fundamental task to reach this goal. In this work, we present Contact from the future, a digital game on plastic pollution for children, to create awareness and stimulate pro-environmental behaviors, discussing the definition of objectives and requirements, as well as the design and development of the application.

Sustainable Transport System

2016 ◽  
pp. 259-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Spichkova ◽  
Margaret Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Transport System ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Sustainable Transport ◽  
Transport Planning ◽  
On Demand

Transport systems are major emitters of greenhouse gases, which makes environmental sustainability of any transport a crucial issue. Another issue is the lack of a systematic approach to the modeling and implementation of public transport systems. Finally, there are problems with the human interfaces to public transport systems, which do not encourage, and many do not allow, comfortable and simple interaction with the system. In this chapter, the authors discuss their solutions for these problems, explaining how to cover the existing gaps in a methodological and systematic way. The main contribution of this chapter is a model of an on-demand transport system that covers all the points mentioned above and focuses on spatial planning and optimizations including environmental issues in transport planning.

Recycling and Reuse of Fashion

2020 ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Chand Prakash Saini ◽  
M. K. Nair ◽  
K. Tara Shankar
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Fast Fashion ◽  
Textile Waste ◽  
Textile Recycling ◽  
The World

The chapter examines the role of recycling and reuse of fashion in order to achieve environmental sustainability. The chapter supports its conclusion by various reports that recycling of textile waste can be solutions to many environmental issues caused by fast fashion. However, textile recycling is an old term; in recent years, it has gained attention again due to fast fashion culture in significant parts of the world, which has resulted in overconsumption of textiles and led to waste generation. Waste recycling has become a multibillion industry. New ways are being created in terms of the development of sorting machines, design inputs, and innovative high-value products to make recycling a profitable proposition. The chapter also highlights how the second-hand market of clothes and the internet as a facilitator can help in reducing textile waste.

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