Public perception on plastic pollution: a web-based study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Abstract This study explores the attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of Dhaka city residents toward plastic pollution, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework. A cross-sectional survey of 435 participants was conducted online, targeting adults (≥ 18 years)...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21959-2 |
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| author | Md Mostafizur Rahman Israt Jahan Faezah U-Shah Abir Mohd Shakib Shahide Ifta Alam Shobuj Md. Tanvir Hossain Edris Alam Md Kamrul Islam |
| author_facet | Md Mostafizur Rahman Israt Jahan Faezah U-Shah Abir Mohd Shakib Shahide Ifta Alam Shobuj Md. Tanvir Hossain Edris Alam Md Kamrul Islam |
| author_sort | Md Mostafizur Rahman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study explores the attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of Dhaka city residents toward plastic pollution, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework. A cross-sectional survey of 435 participants was conducted online, targeting adults (≥ 18 years) with internet access. The survey consisted of 10 items each for attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression to identify associations with sociodemographic factors such as age, education, and income. Findings indicate that respondents generally hold positive attitudes toward reducing plastic pollution, with 39.77% agreeing to purchase environmentally sustainable products despite higher costs and 44.83% willing to reduce single-use plastics even when offered for free. However, adoption of reusable alternatives remains low, with only 28.97% using their bags when shopping. Subjective norms showed moderate influence, with 43.68% of respondents indicating that people around them affect their plastic usage, though many lacked social pressure to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors. The study also highlights practical barriers, including the low availability of biodegradable alternatives (4.37%), lack of effective plastic waste segregation, and limited community-level campaigns. The 36–45 age group showed a significant negative association with perceived behavioral control, while higher education positively influenced attitudes toward plastic reduction. The study emphasizes the need for supportive policies, reward systems, and infrastructure to translate positive attitudes into sustainable behaviors. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to improve plastic pollution management in Dhaka and other developing urban areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-63b411ffbfa2479a898a9da483a5c3c4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-63b411ffbfa2479a898a9da483a5c3c42025-08-20T02:15:07ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-02-0125111210.1186/s12889-025-21959-2Public perception on plastic pollution: a web-based study in Dhaka City, BangladeshMd Mostafizur Rahman0Israt Jahan1Faezah U-Shah2Abir Mohd Shakib Shahide3Ifta Alam Shobuj4Md. Tanvir Hossain5Edris Alam6Md Kamrul Islam7Department of Disaster Management and Resilience, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Bangladesh University of ProfessionalsDepartment of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bangladesh University of ProfessionalsDepartment of Disaster Management and Resilience, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Bangladesh University of ProfessionalsDepartment of Disaster Management and Resilience, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Bangladesh University of ProfessionalsDepartment of Disaster Management and Resilience, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Bangladesh University of ProfessionalsSociology Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna UniversityFaculty of Resilience, Rabdan AcademyDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering College of Engineering, King Faisal UniversityAbstract This study explores the attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of Dhaka city residents toward plastic pollution, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework. A cross-sectional survey of 435 participants was conducted online, targeting adults (≥ 18 years) with internet access. The survey consisted of 10 items each for attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression to identify associations with sociodemographic factors such as age, education, and income. Findings indicate that respondents generally hold positive attitudes toward reducing plastic pollution, with 39.77% agreeing to purchase environmentally sustainable products despite higher costs and 44.83% willing to reduce single-use plastics even when offered for free. However, adoption of reusable alternatives remains low, with only 28.97% using their bags when shopping. Subjective norms showed moderate influence, with 43.68% of respondents indicating that people around them affect their plastic usage, though many lacked social pressure to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors. The study also highlights practical barriers, including the low availability of biodegradable alternatives (4.37%), lack of effective plastic waste segregation, and limited community-level campaigns. The 36–45 age group showed a significant negative association with perceived behavioral control, while higher education positively influenced attitudes toward plastic reduction. The study emphasizes the need for supportive policies, reward systems, and infrastructure to translate positive attitudes into sustainable behaviors. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to improve plastic pollution management in Dhaka and other developing urban areas.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21959-2Plastic pollutionTheory of planned behavior (TPB)Dhaka cityEnvironmental attitudesUrbanization |
| spellingShingle | Md Mostafizur Rahman Israt Jahan Faezah U-Shah Abir Mohd Shakib Shahide Ifta Alam Shobuj Md. Tanvir Hossain Edris Alam Md Kamrul Islam Public perception on plastic pollution: a web-based study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh BMC Public Health Plastic pollution Theory of planned behavior (TPB) Dhaka city Environmental attitudes Urbanization |
| title | Public perception on plastic pollution: a web-based study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_full | Public perception on plastic pollution: a web-based study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_fullStr | Public perception on plastic pollution: a web-based study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_full_unstemmed | Public perception on plastic pollution: a web-based study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_short | Public perception on plastic pollution: a web-based study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_sort | public perception on plastic pollution a web based study in dhaka city bangladesh |
| topic | Plastic pollution Theory of planned behavior (TPB) Dhaka city Environmental attitudes Urbanization |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21959-2 |
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