Evaluation of environmental awareness during the Covid-19 pandemic: a behavioural study of single-use plastic, Muhammad Alfarizi, Dr Herdis Herdiansyah, Sinan Vidi Lazuardi
Muhammad Alfarizi
Cluster of Interaction, Community Engagement and Social Environment
School of Environmental Science Universitas Indonesia, Jl.
Salemba Raya No 5, Central Jakarta, Jakarta 10430
Department of Management, BINUS Online Learning,
Bina Nusantara University
Indonesia
Dr Herdis Herdiansyah
School of Environmental Science, Universitas Indonesia
Central Jakarta, DKI Jakarta 10430
Indonesia
Sinan Vidi Lazuardi
Cluster of Interaction, Community Engagement and Social Environment
School of Environmental Science Universitas Indonesia, Jl.
Salemba Raya No 5, Central Jakarta, Jakarta 10430
Indonesia
Paper type: Case Study
Received: 11 August 2023 / Revised: 7 April 2024 / Accepted: 8 April 2024 / Published: 14 November 2024
DOI: 10.47556/J.WJEMSD.20.2.2024.3
Purpose: Plastic waste management must be pursued, one method is through the role of the community as plastic users. This study aims to evaluate the environmental awareness factor of the community in Makassar, Indonesia, as it is severely affected by plastic waste.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper used a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis method with nine latent variables and a probability proportional size cluster sampling system.
Limitations: The study is limited to Makassar City, potentially affecting the generalisability of its findings. Future research should explore cross-border plastic waste issues and implement practical solutions, such as Mangrove-Bin technology, to address waste in diverse regions and enhance the effectiveness of waste management strategies.
Findings: This study found that knowledge is essential and should be worked together with an attitude towards tackling plastic waste in general and post-COVID-19 pandemic in particular.
Originality/Value: In addition to technological advancement, knowledge and attitude as part of environmental awareness could solve plastic waste issues. Knowledge and attitude could also influence many people’s attitudes towards plastic waste.
Practical implications: The study underscores the importance of public knowledge and attitudes towards plastic waste management, emphasising the role of government in promoting education and initiatives to reduce plastic waste. These efforts align with UN SDG 12, advocating for sustainable production and consumption through effective waste management and recycling policies.
Keywords: Awareness; Waste; Environment; Behaviour; Plastic; Structural Equation Modelling.
Citation: Alfarizi, M., Herdiansyah, H. and Lazuardi, S.V. (2024): Evaluation of Environmental Awareness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Behavioural Study of Single-Use Plastic. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 123–140.
