IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/vrs/enviro/v13y2025i1p15-27n1002.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Public awareness and perception of the ecological impacts and responsibility for plastic pollution in Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Ibrahim Musa Adamu

    (University of Maiduguri, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria)

  • Saba Abdulwakil Olawale

    (Universiti Putra Malaysia, Institute of Bioscience, Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Health and Therapeutics, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Mohammed Mutala

    (CSIR - Institute of Industrial Research, Box LG 576, Legon, Accra, Ghana)

  • Ojewole Akinloye Emmanuel

    (Southern Illinois University, Department of Environmental Sciences, Edwardsville, Illinois, USA)

Abstract

Plastic pollution poses a critical global environmental threat, with Nigeria being particularly vulnerable to this due to its rapid industrialization, urbanization, and inadequate waste management infrastructure. This study investigated public awareness and perceptions of plastic pollution in Nigeria, emphasizing the ecological impacts and potential economic opportunities associated with plastic waste. Using a comprehensive questionnaire administered from June to December 2023, the study evaluated the extent of public awareness, perceptions of responsibility, and key factors influencing attitudes towards the management of plastic waste. The findings revealed a high level of public awareness about plastic pollution, with 66.5% of respondents having participated in environment-related gatherings and 56.5% were familiar with the concept of a circular economy. A significant majority (79.2%) believed in the wealth-generating potential of plastic waste, highlighting methods such as recycling, energy generation, and manufacturing new products. The study also identified significant associations between socio-demographic factors and perceptions of responsibility for plastic pollution management. The study underscores the need for targeted education and policy interventions to address disparities influenced by socio-demographic factors. The potential for economic development through recycling and innovative waste management solutions, such as pyrolysis and gasification, is emphasized. Effective collaboration among government agencies, businesses, NGOs, and local communities is essential to develop infrastructure, implement supportive policies, and promote responsible waste disposal practices. The results highlight the dual opportunity for economic growth and environmental protection through sustainable waste management. Advancing circular economy initiatives in Nigeria requires innovative solutions, stakeholder collaboration, and policies that leverage the wealth-generating potential of plastic waste while safeguarding the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Ibrahim Musa Adamu & Saba Abdulwakil Olawale & Mohammed Mutala & Ojewole Akinloye Emmanuel, 2025. "Public awareness and perception of the ecological impacts and responsibility for plastic pollution in Nigeria," Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, Sciendo, vol. 13(1), pages 15-27.
  • Handle: RePEc:vrs:enviro:v:13:y:2025:i:1:p:15-27:n:1002
    DOI: 10.2478/environ-2025-0002
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.2478/environ-2025-0002
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.2478/environ-2025-0002?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rakesh Kumar & Anurag Verma & Arkajyoti Shome & Rama Sinha & Srishti Sinha & Prakash Kumar Jha & Ritesh Kumar & Pawan Kumar & Shubham & Shreyas Das & Prabhakar Sharma & P. V. Vara Prasad, 2021. "Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-41, September.
    2. Danai Frantzi & Anastasia Zabaniotou, 2021. "Waste-Based Intermediate Bioenergy Carriers: Syngas Production via Coupling Slow Pyrolysis with Gasification under a Circular Economy Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-37, November.
    3. Olatomiwa, Lanre & Mekhilef, Saad & Huda, A.S.N. & Ohunakin, Olayinka S., 2015. "Economic evaluation of hybrid energy systems for rural electrification in six geo-political zones of Nigeria," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 435-446.
    4. Cheng-Wen Lee & Hsiu-Hua Hung, 2024. "The Impact of Education on Consumers’ Eco-Friendly Shopping Habits towards Sustainable Purchases: Evidence from Indonesia and Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-30, October.
    5. Yong Li & Bairong Wang & Orachorn Saechang, 2022. "Is Female a More Pro-Environmental Gender? Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.
    6. Min-Seong Kim & Jinwon Kim & Brijesh Thapa, 2018. "Influence of Environmental Knowledge on Affect, Nature Affiliation and Pro-Environmental Behaviors among Tourists," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-16, August.
    7. Nicholas Oguge & Francis Oremo & Salome Adhiambo, 2021. "Investigating the Knowledge and Attitudes towards Plastic Pollution among the Youth in Nairobi, Kenya," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-13, October.
    8. Genovaitė Liobikienė & Mykolas Simas Poškus, 2019. "The Importance of Environmental Knowledge for Private and Public Sphere Pro-Environmental Behavior: Modifying the Value-Belief-Norm Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. K. Deshika De S. Jayasekara & Darshana Rajapaksa & U. A. D. Prasanthi Gunawardena, 2024. "Impacts of Environmental Knowledge, Motives, and Behavior on Ecotourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Bouarar, Ahmed Chemseddine & Mouloudj, kamel, 2021. "Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Explore Employees Intentions to Implement Green Practices," MPRA Paper 106195, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Md. Shahadat Hossain & Goutam Saha & Mridul Kanti Das & Md. Anowar Hossain, 2024. "Practicing Green Behaviors in the Manufacturing Sector: The Impact of Environmental Knowledge, Environmental Consciousness, Attitude, Motivation and Subjective Norm," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 33(1), pages 58-75.
    4. Abida Begum & Liu Jingwei & Imran Ullah Khan Marwat & Salim Khan & Heesup Han & Antonio Ariza-Montes, 2021. "Evaluating the Impact of Environmental Education on Ecologically Friendly Behavior of University Students in Pakistan: The Roles of Environmental Responsibility and Islamic Values," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Thi Thanh Thuy Phan & Van Viet Nguyen & Hong Thi Thu Nguyen & Chun-Hung Lee, 2022. "Integrating Citizens’ Importance-Performance Aspects into Sustainable Plastic Waste Management in Danang, Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Brahma, Antara & Saikia, Kangkana & Hiloidhari, Moonmoon & Baruah, D.C., 2016. "GIS based planning of a biomethanation power plant in Assam, India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 596-608.
    7. Cheng-Wen Lee & Mao-Wen Fu, 2025. "Bridging the Gap: Challenges and Strategies for Corporate Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10.
    8. Bhatt, Ankit & Sharma, M.P. & Saini, R.P., 2016. "Feasibility and sensitivity analysis of an off-grid micro hydro–photovoltaic–biomass and biogas–diesel–battery hybrid energy system for a remote area in Uttarakhand state, India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 53-69.
    9. Michael O. Ukoba & Ogheneruona E. Diemuodeke & Mohammed Alghassab & Henry I. Njoku & Muhammad Imran & Zafar A. Khan, 2020. "Composite Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-27, July.
    10. Nawaz, Ahmad & Razzak, Shaikh Abdur, 2024. "Co-pyrolysis of biomass and different plastic waste to reduce hazardous waste and subsequent production of energy products: A review on advancement, synergies, and future prospects," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    11. Salmon, Claire & Tanguy, Jeremy, 2016. "Rural Electrification and Household Labor Supply: Evidence from Nigeria," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 48-68.
    12. Ugwoke, B. & Gershon, O. & Becchio, C. & Corgnati, S.P. & Leone, P., 2020. "A review of Nigerian energy access studies: The story told so far," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    13. An-Jin Shie & You-Yu Dai & Ming-Xing Shen & Li Tian & Ming Yang & Wen-Wei Luo & Yenchun Jim Wu & Zhao-Hui Su, 2022. "Diamond Model of Green Commitment and Low-Carbon Travel Motivation, Constraint, and Intention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-21, July.
    14. Khalid Mehmood & Fauzia Jabeen & Shilpa Iyanna & Hui Zhang & Patrice Piccardi & Nagendra Singh Nehra, 2024. "Exploring drivers of behavioral willingness to reduce plastic consumption and socially responsible consumption behavior: A stimulus–organism–behavior–consequence paradigm based environmental managemen," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 3098-3118, July.
    15. Bora Ly & Romny Ly, 2024. "A quantitative analysis of factors shaping attitudes toward green products among Cambodian public employees," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 14(2), pages 287-299, June.
    16. João M. Lopes & Sofia Gomes & Tiago Trancoso, 2023. "The Dark Side of Green Marketing: How Greenwashing Affects Circular Consumption?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-17, July.
    17. Wei Song & Liguo Wang & Yan He & Yanting Ye & Yuting Jiang, 2024. "Study on the Strength of Rural Tourism Operators’ Willingness to Carbon Offset and Its Influencing Mechanisms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-21, July.
    18. Kumar, Manish & Bolan, Shiv & Padhye, Lokesh P. & Konarova, Muxina & Foong, Shin Ying & Lam, Su Shiung & Wagland, Stuart & Cao, Runzi & Li, Yang & Batalha, Nuno & Ahmed, Mohamed & Pandey, Ashok & Sidd, 2023. "Retrieving back plastic wastes for conversion to value added petrochemicals: opportunities, challenges and outlooks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 345(C).
    19. Huan Wang, 2022. "Knowledge or Responsibility? The Role of Media Use on Citizens’ Willingness to Pay for Environment Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, November.
    20. Giwa, Adewale & Alabi, Adetunji & Yusuf, Ahmed & Olukan, Tuza, 2017. "A comprehensive review on biomass and solar energy for sustainable energy generation in Nigeria," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 620-641.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:vrs:enviro:v:13:y:2025:i:1:p:15-27:n:1002. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Peter Golla (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.sciendo.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.