[Research Contribution] Perception and behaviour of students regarding single-use plastics - The impact of green products

Keywords: Single-use plastic; Plastic pollution; Plastic waste; Green lifestyle; Environmental protection; Plastic use behaviour; Plastic reduction; Plastic alternatives; Sustainable consumption habits; Student environmental campaigns; Harms of plastic; Plastic reduction solutions; Rethink & Be Green

Single-use plastics have become an incredibly familiar part of daily life, from morning coffee cups to plastic bags for groceries. However, this convenient habit is leaving severe consequences for the environment and human health. A study by a group of students at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has revealed authentic insights into how students think and act regarding single-use plastics. This article not only tells the story of young people's awareness and habits but also inspires everyone, from students to working professionals, to join hands in creating change for a greener future.

When single-use plastics are the convenient choice

Imagine this: you rush to class, quickly stop by your favourite bubble tea shop, and receive a cool plastic cup, complete with a straw and a plastic bag. In just a few minutes, you've used three single-use plastic items without a second thought. This scene is so common that we rarely notice it, but each cup, each bag contributes to a larger problem – plastic pollution.

Single-use plastics are ubiquitous: from coffee shops, street vendors, to convenience stores. They are cheap, convenient, and readily available. However, did you know that every year, millions of tons of plastic flow into our oceans, forming giant "garbage islands" that threaten marine life and enter the human food chain? In Vietnam, single-use plastics are one of the main causes of overflowing landfills and polluted air and soil. In this context, students – dynamic young people who frequently use convenient products – play a crucial role in changing the current situation.

A student research group at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) conducted a study to understand the habits of young people regarding single-use plastics. The results not only reflect their habits but also serve as a reminder that each of us can make a difference, starting with the smallest actions.

Awareness of the harms of single-use plastics: Potential and challenges

The research results yielded a positive signal: the majority of surveyed students showed clear awareness of the negative impacts of single-use plastic on the environment and human health. This indicates that recent communication and environmental education efforts, from school campaigns to information on mass media, have yielded certain effects. Students, with their ability to quickly access information, open minds, and eagerness to learn, have grasped basic knowledge about this issue. They understand that plastic waste not only pollutes landscapes but also decomposes very slowly, creating microplastic particles that enter the food chain, directly affecting human health and the lives of animals and plants.

However, alongside this positive signal, the study also pointed out a worrying challenge. Despite their awareness, students' level of concern about the harm of single-use plastics was not truly high. Many remained neutral or even unconcerned about its danger level. This raises a big and urgent question: Why doesn't awareness translate into greater concern and stronger, more decisive action? Perhaps, information about the harms of plastic is still theoretical, not enough to create a strong impetus for action in the daily lives of young people. They might not yet feel the direct impact on themselves or perceive the severity of the problem in their surrounding environment. The transition from awareness to action requires a deep change in mindset and habits, not just knowing but also feeling and acting.

Reasons behind plastic use habits: Convenience and supply

When asked about the main reasons students continue to use single-use plastics instead of environmentally friendly products, convenience emerged as the top factor. The busy, fast-paced life of students, especially in large cities, makes them prioritise quick, easy, and time-saving options. Single-use plastic items perfectly meet this need, from disposable coffee cups for hurried classes, styrofoam boxes for quick lunches, to plastic bags for everything after shopping or going to the market. This convenience has become an indispensable part of modern life, and abandoning it requires significant effort.

Moreover, the supply of single-use plastics also plays a crucial role, even dominating student behaviour. Eateries, coffee shops, convenience stores, and especially street vendors – places students frequently visit for their daily food and drink needs – are all major suppliers of single-use plastic products. This indicates that plastic use habits do not solely stem from students' subjective desires but are also strongly influenced by the current supply system and consumer culture. When most stores default to using plastic packaging, it becomes difficult, sometimes impossible, for students to seek and request alternative options. Therefore, changing habits will be hard to achieve without synchronised efforts from suppliers, requiring a major shift across the entire supply and service chain.

Other factors, such as low cost, are also a significant reason. Single-use plastic products typically have low production costs, leading to very affordable market prices, suitable for the limited budgets of most students. Ease of use and portability are also advantages that make single-use plastics a preferred choice. Aesthetic factors, though a smaller percentage, still show a part of consumer preference for eye-catching designs, even if they are single-use plastics. These interwoven reasons create a complex web, making plastic reduction a multi-faceted challenge that requires flexible and comprehensive solutions.

Positive changes and willingness to opt for a greener lifestyle

Despite many challenges, the study also recorded encouraging positive signals in student behaviour. The majority of students have made certain changes in their single-use plastic habits, indicating a shift in awareness and action. The use of alternative products is the most common action, reflecting students' proactiveness in seeking and applying sustainable solutions. Many students have started carrying cloth bags when shopping, replacing traditional plastic bags; using personal water bottles instead of buying single-use bottled water; or even trying to eliminate single-use plastic products from their daily lives. These actions, though small, will create a significant environmental impact when scaled up.

More notably, students also showed a willingness to pay for reusable products. Survey results indicate that, on average, each student is willing to spend a significant amount of money to own environmentally friendly items such as insulated bottles, stainless steel straws, or insulated lunch boxes. This shows that the price barrier is not the only decisive factor; rather, it is awareness and the desire to contribute to the environment that have driven students to make more sustainable consumption choices. This willingness to pay is a positive signal, opening opportunities for the environmentally friendly product market to diversify and better meet the needs of young consumers.

Furthermore, the study also pointed out a strong positive correlation between the level of concern about plastic's harm and the behaviour of using alternative items (Spearman coefficient of 0.983). This confirms that the more students are aware of and concerned about the consequences of plastic waste, the more they tend to seek and use alternative solutions. This correlation is an important basis for future communication campaigns to focus on increasing the level of concern, transforming awareness into concrete and sustainable action. Creating strong emotional impacts through real stories and images of plastic pollution could be the key to fostering deeper behavioural change.

Challenges in spending and frequency of use

However, alongside the bright spots, the study also revealed some challenges that need attention. A notable point is that as average monthly spending increases, students tend to use more single-use plastic products. This might stem from the fact that with better economic conditions, students may consume more, including purchasing takeout food and drinks, which often come with plastic products. This is a paradox that needs attention, showing that convenience remains a strong factor influencing consumer behaviour, even overriding environmental consciousness when economic conditions allow.

Additionally, despite many alternative options and awareness of their use, students' frequency of single-use plastic use remains quite high. This could be due to deeply ingrained habits in their daily lives, which are difficult to change overnight. Or it could also be due to a lack of truly convenient and widespread alternative solutions in students' living and learning environments. For example, finding a restaurant that doesn't use styrofoam boxes or a convenience store that encourages bringing personal bottles is still a challenge in many places. This requires a synchronised shift from both consumers and suppliers to create a more favourable environment for a plastic-free lifestyle.

Future steps: From awareness to action

From the research results above, it is clear that to encourage students to reduce single-use plastic use, a comprehensive strategy is needed, combining many factors and the joint efforts of many stakeholders.

First, raising awareness must go hand in hand with a strong impetus for action. Communication campaigns need not only to provide dry information but also to touch emotions, creating concern and urging more specific actions. Presenting real stories, vivid images of plastic's harm, or examples of communities that have successfully reduced plastic waste can help students feel the urgency and the potential for change more clearly. Instead of just talking about data, tell stories about marine creatures trapped in plastic waste, or the long-term impacts of microplastics on human health, to create a deep and lasting impression.

Second, it is necessary to promote convenient and accessible alternative solutions. Schools and communities need to create conditions for single-use plastic alternatives to become common, easy to buy, and as convenient as plastic items themselves. This can include encouraging restaurants and stores inside and outside schools to use environmentally friendly materials, implementing discount policies for customers who bring their reusable items, or providing easily accessible recycling and reuse points on campus and in surrounding residential areas. Collaboration among schools, businesses, and local authorities is key to building a sustainable consumption ecosystem.

Third, organising practical activities is crucial to transforming awareness into concrete action. Creative competitions using recycled materials, waste collection movements, source separation activities, or workshops on making recycled items will help students directly participate and experience. When they practice and see the effectiveness of their efforts, they will form good habits naturally and more sustainably. These activities not only raise awareness but also create a healthy playground, encouraging students' creativity and sense of responsibility.

Fourth, the role of the school is undeniable. Universities need to continue to play a pioneering role in building a "Green Campus," not only through communication campaigns but also by integrating it into the curriculum, creating a favourable environment for students to practice sustainable living. Incorporating environmental and sustainable development content into courses, organising specialised talks with experts, or establishing internal regulations on plastic waste reduction will create a solid foundation for change.

A call to action: Joining hands for a plastic-free future

The issue of single-use plastics is not just anyone's story. It is the shared responsibility of all of us – from young people sitting in lecture halls to busy working professionals. Every small action, from bringing a cloth bag to the supermarket to choosing a glass cup instead of a plastic one, is a step towards a sustainable future.

Imagine a day when you walk into a coffee shop and see everyone carrying personal water bottles, cloth bags, or reusable lunch boxes. That's not just a beautiful scene but also proof that we can change. With their potential and enthusiasm, the younger generation can lead this wave. Every cloth bag you carry, every time you refuse plastic, is a strong message: we care about this planet.

The journey to reduce single-use plastics is not easy, but it is worthwhile. Start today – with the smallest things. You can challenge yourself: how many plastic items can I reduce this week? It could be bringing your personal water bottle to school, or simply refusing a plastic bag when shopping. When hundreds, thousands of people do that together, we will create a real wave of change. Together, we can turn the message "Rethink & Be Green" into reality. Act now, for a cleaner planet, a better future – and for ourselves.

The research article indirectly contributed to SDGs 4, 12, 13, and 14. View the full research article "Perception and behaviour of students regarding single-use plastics - The impact of green products" HERE.

Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Dan, Phung Nguyen, Nguyen Thi Phuong Trang, Le Thi Phuong Hau - University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City.

This article is part of the "Green Research Community" series with the message "Research Contribution for UEH Living Lab Green Campus." UEH cordially invites the community to follow the next Green Research Community newsletter.

*To maximize the development of the "UEH Green Research Community," members of the community will have the opportunity to attend scientific research methodology classes related to the Living Lab and Green Campus topics. Additionally, when a product meets standards, the research group will receive a Certificate from the UEH Sustainable University Project Board and financial support for a qualified project.

Additional information:

SDG 4 – Quality Education aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. This article directly contributes by emphasising the role of education in raising environmental awareness. Specifically, the article mentions raising students' awareness of the harms of single-use plastics and the school's role in building a "Green Campus" through communication and integrating sustainable living practices into teaching. Equipping students with knowledge and skills for sustainable development is a crucial part of quality education.

SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production aims for sustainable patterns, reducing pressure on resources and pollution. This is the goal to which the article contributes most strongly. The article analyses students' awareness and behaviour regarding single-use plastics, pointing out challenges and proposing specific solutions such as minimising single-use plastic items, collecting/sorting waste, reusing bottles, and using personal containers/bottles. The entire content promotes changing consumption habits, effective waste management, and optimal resource use.

SDG 13 – Climate Action calls for urgent action to combat climate change. This article contributes indirectly by emphasising that "the production and disposal of plastic emit large amounts of greenhouse gases." Encouraging the reduction of single-use plastics helps reduce production demand, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Raising awareness and promoting green living actions are also important parts of strengthening resilience and climate action.

SDG 14 – Life below water focuses on conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine resources. This article contributes directly by emphasising the severe impact of plastic waste on marine environments and marine life. Specifically, the article mentions "millions of tons of plastic flowing into the oceans, forming giant 'garbage islands,' threatening marine life" and "sea turtles trapped in plastic bags." Encouraging the reduction of single-use plastics directly reduces the amount of plastic waste entering marine ecosystems, thereby protecting marine life and biodiversity.

News, photos: UEH Green Campus Project, UEH Youth Union - Student Association, UEH Communications and Partnership Development Board 

Voiceover: Thanh Kieu