Using plastic, fearing plastic: How sociodemographic factors shape awareness, recycling, and risk perception

This research aimed to examines how gender, age, education, and profession affect citizens’ awareness of the plastic issue, including its environmental impacts, recycling practices, and social implications, using a 19-questions survey submitted to 111 citizens randomly chosen. Our findings revealed that participants reported a frequent plastic use, consistent recycling habits, and high concern about plastic pollution and ingestion. Gender significantly influenced the level of concern for plastic pollution, with females showing higher than expected concern and being more sceptical about solutions, while men expressed comparatively less concern. The youngest citizens (