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 (< 19) associated plastic pollution mainly with moderate concern and partial ingestion risk, while young-adult participants (20-35) were more likely to express major concern, supporting the idea of a certain regular ingestion of plastics. Interestingly, the 36–60 age group showed doubts regarding the actual regular ingestion of plastic. Moreover, respondents with higher education levels were more prone to always recycle and to be concerned about plastic pollution, while those with only primary education showed the opposite trend. Students reported biodegradable plastic as alternative to conventional plastics, while employed respondents believed that bioplastic was the best alternative. In contrast, profession did not have any influence on the tested questions.