Knowledge and Practice of Housewives on Domestic Plastic Waste Management

Background: The environmental pollution affects the health of more than 100 million people across the world. The plastic litter situation in India is a more serious threat to future generations than the menace is posed by nuclear weapons. As waste management should start right at home, the researcher strongly believe that housewives have to be empowered with knowledge first.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and practice of housewives regarding domestic plastic waste management and preparation of an information booklet based on the findings of the study.

Method: A descriptive survey approach was used for this study. The study was carried out in 300 housewives from selected areas of Mangalore. Sample was selected by cluster random sampling technique. Structured knowledge questionnaire and practice checklists were used for the data collection. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Result: Analysis of the data revealed that among housewives, 77.4 % (233) had average knowledge, 22.3% (67) had poor knowledge and none of them had good knowledge regarding domestic plastic waste management and 75.1 % (225) had average practice, 24.9% (75) had poor practice and none of them had good practice regarding domestic plastic waste management. The study shows a positive correlation between knowledge and practice of housewives on management of domestic plastic waste (r=0.071).The more the housewives are empowered with knowledge on management of domestic plastic waste, its disposal becomes more easy and effective. The analysis shows that age, type of family, education and source of information has a significant association between knowledge of housewives on management of domestic plastic waste.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated the need for educating the housewives about domestic plastic waste management. They must be motivated for household management of plastic waste.