Enhancing Pupils’ Pro-environmental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours Toward Plastic Recycling: A Quasi-experimental Study in Primary Schools

Abstract

To tackle the serious problems caused by plastic wastes, it is critical to develop new plastic recycling beliefs and behavior, together with recycling skills (4 important steps of recycling: cleanliness, separation, compression, and sorting) of the plastic wastes in environmental education (EE). The study revealed the effectiveness of a plastic waste recycling program adopting an action competence approach with educational interventions using a new plastic waste recycling bin (PRB). The PRB allows further classification of plastic waste types. Seven primary schools in Hong Kong participated in the program. A total of 313 questionnaires which assessed pupils’ classification knowledge, behaviours of plastic waste recycling, and their pro-environmental attitudes in terms of New Environmental Paradigm were received. Semi-structured interview with 27 pupils from the schools were also conducted. Recycling performance (actual behaviour) of using the brown bins (general plastic recycling bin) and the PRBs in the schools was assessed as the evidence of action competence in plastic waste recycling. Comparing the schools which adopted programmes with a combination of two types of recycling bins (brown bin vs. PRB) and interventions (Poster vs. half/full training courses to teach the recycling knowledge and skill), both quantitative and qualitative results showed that learners of the program enhanced their recycling knowledge (K), attitudes (A), and behaviour (B) concerning plastic waste recycling. The recycling performance proved that there is a statistically significant change in the recycling steps, separation and compression. The study provides insights for environmental educators to develop strategic solutions to ease environmental issues as well as putting these actions into practice in schools.

Authors Chi Chiu Cheang and Tsz Yan Cheung are equally contributed for this chapter.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Detail of the Plastic Classification of the PRB (EPD, 2011)

	Plastic types	Examples
1.	PET	Soft drink, water bottles
2.	HDPE	Detergent or juice bottles
3.	PVC	Disinfectant container, pipes, shower curtains or plastic labels
4.	LDPE	Packaging or plastic bags
5.	PP	Liquid containers, folders or cups
6.	PS	CD cover, live lactobacillus drink bottles or foam container
7.	Others	Toys, nylon, pump dispensers
8.	Blended polymer	Plastics with other materials blended

Appendix 2: Pupils’ General Knowledge of Waste Management

	Pre-test		Post-test 2		Pair-T test
General knowledge	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	N	t	Sig.
How many current operating landfill sites are there in Hong Kong?	0.850	0.358	0.853	0.355	313	0.132	0.895
Which of the following is/are the source(s) of municipal solid waste in Hong Kong?	0.586	0.493	0.589	0.493	309	0.093	0.926
In which of the following time periods is the SENT Landfill site in Tseung Kwan O expected to reach saturation?	0.324	0.469	0.295	0.457	312	−0.943	0.346
According to the waste hierarchy, which of the following should be the first priority?	0.365	0.482	0.436	0.497	312	2.018	0.044*
According to the government plan of SENT Landfill site expansion, which of the following types of land is planned to be used?	0.180	0.385	0.213	0.410	300	1.179	0.239

1. ^*P < 0.05
2. Note The full mark for each question in Table 10.1 is 1

Appendix 3: Interview Questions

• (a) Compulsory questions

  • 1. How do you know about different types of plastic?

  • 2. After joining this program, did you spend extra time understanding more about plastic recycling, classification and the 4 steps of recycling?

  • 3. In your opinion, what threats would plastic waste pose to the environment?

  • 4. Do you want to participate more in plastic classification and the 4 steps of recycling?

• (b) For schools with posters

  • 5. Is the poster design appealing to you? (1–5 marks, 5 marks = very appealing)

  • 6. Did the poster help you to know more about plastic classification?

  • 7. Can you comment on our poster? Any improvements needed? (can show the poster)

• (c) For schools with PRB

  • 8. Have you ever used the PRB recycling bins on campus? (if yes) Did you read the recycling hints on the boxes (i.e., the 4 Recycling Steps) before recycling?

  • 9. Have you faced any difficulties when using the PRB recycling bins?

• (d) For schools with Brown bins

  • 10. Have you ever used the brown plastic recycling bin? (if yes) Did you do the 4 recycling steps before recycling rubbish? Why or why not?

  • 11. Have you faced any difficulties when using the Brown bins?

Appendix 4: Pupils’ Knowledge of Types of Plastic Waste

Correct type	Plastic items	Pre-test		Post-test 2		Pair-T test
		Mean	SD	Mean	SD	N	t	Sig.
4	Plastic bag	0.094	0.292	0.100	0.300	310	0.308	0.758
2	Cleaning product bottle	0.162	0.369	0.152	0.360	309	−0.366	0.715
1	Disposable water bottle	0.160	0.367	0.127	0.334	307	−1.251	0.212
4	Plastic wrap/cling film	0.065	0.246	0.152	0.360	309	3.647	0.000**
6	Styrofoam takeaway box	0.035	0.185	0.061	0.240	311	1.515	0.131
7	CD	0.103	0.304	0.100	0.300	311	−0.135	0.893
5	Disposable straws	0.049	0.215	0.065	0.246	309	0.845	0.399
5	Disposable water bottle cap	0.074	0.263	0.078	0.268	309	0.156	0.876
3	Credit card	0.049	0.216	0.078	0.269	307	1.621	0.106
3	Shower curtain	0.081	0.273	0.065	0.246	309	−0.780	0.436
1	Soft drink bottle	0.126	0.333	0.113	0.317	309	−0.516	0.606
7	Nylon bag	0.061	0.240	0.116	0.321	310	2.557	0.011*
6	Lactic acid bacteria drink bottle	0.048	0.215	0.114	0.317	311	3.099	0.002**
4	Food storage bags	0.039	0.194	0.078	0.268	308	2.069	0.039*

1. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.005
2. Note The full mark for each question in Table 10.2 is 1

Appendix 5: Scope of Attitude and Perceived Behavior Measurement

Attitude (Eco-crisis) (1 = totally disagree to 5 = totally agree)

Q1 There are/will be too many people living on earth now/in the future. Q2 Plants and humans have the same right of survival Q3 Humans are destroying the natural environment Q4 Humans have sufficient wisdom to prevent the decay of the earth Q5 Humans have to follow the rules of nature Q6 Humans destroy the nature will bring up bad consequences Q7 The natural environment have the sufficient power to reverse the problems created by the humans in morden daily life Q8 Humans are the master of all things Q9 Humans will understand the principles of the nature and be capable to control the natural environment Q10 There will be great natural disasters if the situation is not improved

Perceived behavior (1 = never to 5 = always)

Q1 I will remove the cap and package of the plastic bottle before discarding it into the recycling bin Q2 I will remove the residue drinks and wash the plastic bottle before discarding it into the recycling bin Q3 I will compress the plastic waste (if compressible) before discarding it into the recycling bin Q4 I will remove the non-plastic parts of the plastic waste (e.g., price tags) before discarding it into the recycling bin Q5 I aware of different texture of plastic wastes Q6 I will tie a lot or compress the plastic bag before discarding it into the recycling bin Q7 Most of my rubbish/wastes are made from plastics Q8 When processing rubbish/wastes, I will sort the plastic waste out for recycling

1. The full mark for each question is 5