Middle East Journal of Applied Science & Technology (MEJAST)

(Peer Reviewed International Journal) Volume 2, Issue 3, Pages 42-44, July-September 2019

Usage of Plastic Bags and Environment, Health Hazards: A Study to Access

Awareness Level Among a Small Population of Trincomalee Town
Suthajini Thiruketheeswaranathan
Department of Agriculture Engineering, Faulty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

Article Received: 27 January 2019 Article Accepted: 19 May 2019 Article Published: 30 July 2019

ABSTRACT

Plastics and polythene are non-biodegradable in nature, made from non-renewable resources and it can be remained in the environment for several
years. The usage of plastic and polythene bags is one of the major reasons for the environmental and health hazards. This study was done to find out
the current status of awareness level of the environment and health hazards associated with the usage of plastic and polythene bags among people
who live in Trincomalee town area. Survey was conducted in Trincomalee town in April 2019. Data was collected by questionnaire survey to any
adult member in each of the selected household. Most of the participants (78%) had an awareness of environment and health hazards. Even though
participants continuing to use due to the easy availability and durability.
Keywords: Environment hazards, biodegradable, awareness, plastic and polythene bags, health hazards.

INTRODUCTION

The usage of plastic and polythene bags is increased due to the modernized marketing structure. The plastic bags
are used more than paper bags or other alternative bags due to the light weight, resistance to sunlight, durability,
low cost and easy availability (Miller, R.M, 2012). Plastics and polythene are non-biodegradable in nature, made
from non-renewable resources and it can be remained in the environment for several years (Subramanian et al.,
2012). Low density polyethylene is used as the raw material for producing plastic bags and the shopping used by
supermarkets are mainly produced by linear low-density polyethylene (Legesse, A. et al., 2011).

Even though individual users utilize the benefits from the plastic bags by this way, our entire society face huge
problems at the disposal stage. It results a risk to human well being and environment sustainability (Halden RU,
2010). Plastic takes 15- 1000 years for the biodegradation process (Sutton J, 2012). At the same time environment
and health effects are common during manufacturing stage too (Sutton J, 2012). In Sri Lanka, 200000 lunch sheets
and 150000 polythene bags are used daily. So, the daily consumption of plastic and polythene per capita is about
0.5kg.

Environmental sustainability can be achieved through the reduction of plastic and polythene bags. Assessing the
awareness about the polythene and plastics help to find current state of the society‟s‟ perception and mentality
towards environmental sustainability. In Trincomalee town area, plastic and polythene bags have been used widely
by retail shops, shopping malls and the consumers. This is one of the developing towns in eastern province Sri
Lanka. The study also found the reason for popularity of the plastic and polythene bags among users.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Questionnaire survey was conducted in April 2019 in the selected household in Trincomalee town area. The sample
size of 500 was calculated using 95% confidence limits. These households were selected by systematic random
sampling from a total population of 97234 residing in Trincomalee town and. If a house was locked during the visit,
the surveyors visited the adjacent house for collecting the data. Data was collected by interviewing any one adult

42 | P a g e ISSN (Online): 2582- 0974 Website: www.mejast.com

 Middle East Journal of Applied Science & Technology (MEJAST)

(Peer Reviewed International Journal) Volume 2, Issue 3, Pages 42-44, July-September 2019

member in the household. Sociodemographic information such as age, educational status and occupational status
were obtained from each participant.

Frequency of usage, disposable method, reason for the usage were enquired. The questions on their awareness
regarding environmental hazards, health hazards, awareness on eco friendly alternate materials for making bag.
Data was analyzed using Minitab statistical software. Chi square test was used to test association and P value ≤.0.05
was considered as significant association.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Mean age of 500 participants was 30 ±10 years. Majority of them 253 (50.6%) were females and 247 (49.4%) were
males. Majority of the participants 467 (93.5%) were educated at least primary level. Only 80 persons were
graduated among 500 participants. 390 (78%) participants out of 500 were aware of at least one health hazards of
plastics and polythene bags. Among the participants 342 (68.4%) out of 500 were aware of at least one
environmental hazard associated with plastic and polythene. 73% of people knew that they are non-biodegradable
and 13% knew that plastic contain carcinogenic substances.

Age group Aware Not aware Total

20-30 231 (77.5%) 67 (22.5%) 298

31-40 158 (78.2%) 44 (21.8%) 202

Table 1: Associating the awareness on environment and health hazards due to the usage of plastic bags with age
group.

Gender Aware Not aware Total

Male 203 (82.1%) 44 (17.9%) 247

Female 194 (76.6%) 59 (23.4%) 253

Table 2: Associating the awareness on environment and health hazards due to the usage of plastic bags with gender

Education level Aware Not aware Total

Primary level 129 (72.4%) 49 (27.5%) 178

Secondary level (up to 145 (69%) 65 (30.95%) 210

O/L)

graduates 71 (88.75%) 9 (11.25%) 80

Table 3: Associating the awareness on environment and health hazards due to the usage of plastic bags with gender

Occupational status Aware Not aware Total

Housewife 79 (78.2%) 22 (21.8%) 101

43 | P a g e ISSN (Online): 2582- 0974 Website: www.mejast.com

 Middle East Journal of Applied Science & Technology (MEJAST)

(Peer Reviewed International Journal) Volume 2, Issue 3, Pages 42-44, July-September 2019

Students 56 (66.6%) 28 (33.3%) 84

Skilled workers 124 (79.4%) 32 (20.6%) 156

Unskilled workers 93 (66.4%) 47 (33.6%) 140

professional 19 (100%) 0 19

Table 4: Associating the awareness on environment and health hazards due to the usage of plastic bags with
occupational status

There were 36 % participants reusing the plastic bags for shopping after usage. Among those participants 112
persons were female rest of 78 persons were male. Most of the users (71%) used to dispose plastic and polythene
bags in bins. Rest of the participants threw it on the road. Among the users 56% felt that plastic bags were popular
due to their easy availability, 34% participants used due to durability and least persons considered that they were
light in weight. Only 2% of users were using alternative bags for shopping in place of plastic and polythene bags.
Housewives take the role of above 2%. 81% participants stated that the shop keepers handed them plastic bags after
their purchase without even asking them if they really required more bags for carrying goods.

CONCLUSION

Most of the participants had an awareness of the environment and health hazards. However, they are continually
using the bags due to the easy availability and the durability. Usage of alternative bag was very rare among the
participants.

REFERENCES

1. Girum B (2005)‟ Sustainable management of plastic bag waste. The case of Nairobi, Kenya‟. Lund, Sweden, pp. 3-52.

2. Gupta K, Somanathan R. (2011), Consumer response to incentives to reduce plastic bag use: Evidence from a field
experiment in urban India [Internet]. Delhi: Delhi School of Economics.

3. Halden RU. (2010), Plastics and health risks. Annual Review of Public Health. 31:179-94.

4. Legesse, A. & Muleta, D. (2011) “Survey on the usage of plastic bags, their disposal and adverse impacts on environment: A
case study in Jimma City, Southwestern Ethiopia”, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences Vol. 3(8),pp.
234-248,

5. Miller, R.M. (2012). Plastic shopping bags: An analysis of policy instruments for plastic bag reduction‟. /thesis submitted to
the Universities Utrecht for the degree of Msc in Sustainable Development, 2012.

6. Plastic bag reduction around the world. (2009). Online Available: http://planet.earthclinic. com/initiatives/plastic-bags.html

7. Subramanian, Yi L, Hu, J.(2012), „Eco-Impact of Plastic and Paper Shopping Bags,‟ Journal of Engineered Fibers and
Fabrics, Volume 7, Issue 1: 26-37

8. Sutton J, Turner B. (2012), Plastic bags: Hazards and mitigation [Internet]. California: Social sciences department,
California Polytechnic State University.

44 | P a g e ISSN (Online): 2582- 0974 Website: www.mejast.com