ABSTRACT

Background: Plastics are durable, lightweight and cheap materials which can be used in the production of several products. With increased demand and usage, there is increase waste generation therefore indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste results in physical and environmental pollution.

Objective: To assess the environmental problems associated with the use and management of plastics with a view to making recommendations to improve physical and environmental health.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 425 undergraduate students of University of Benin using stratified random sampling (over a period of 1 year), using a structured self-administered questionnaire and a waste management checklist. Undergraduate students who gave consent were included

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.9 ± 2.8 years. About two-third of the respondents had good & fair knowledge about the harm associated with poor management of plastics wastes. 98.4% of the respondents had good & fair attitude towards plastic products and wastes. 8% of respondents had good plastic waste management practices. 92.7% used plastics because it is readily available compared to the alternatives. Half of the hostels had above average score following after observing their environmental waste practices and only three (3) hostels had adequate number of waste bins.

Conclusion: A vast majority had good knowledge of the harm associated with poor management of plastic wastes. Half of the respondents had good attitude towards plastic products and wastes. Very few respondents had good plastic waste management practices. An extensive proportion of respondents used plastic bags because they were readily available and more light-weight.

Keywords: Plastic, Waste, Pollution