Empowering Students with Environmental Education on Plastic Waste Management: A Crucial Step Towards Achieving Green Campus Sustainability

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Natasya Shaherani, Sugeng Utaya, Sumarmi, Syamsul Bachri, Toru Matsumoto, Yayoi Kodama, Indriyani Rachman

2024 International Journal of Environmental Impacts Vol. 7 Issue 4 Article Cited by 7 Quartile

Abstract

The high number of students and the various activities that involve them can contribute to the increase in plastic waste on campus. Student environmental education in plastic waste management plays an important role in the sustainability of a green campus. The objective of this study was: 1) to evaluate the implementation of environmental education in plastic waste management on the green campus in Malang City; and 2) to determine the students’ achievements in environmental education about plastic waste management, focusing on the knowledge, awareness, behavior, skills, and participation. This study utilized a survey method with a quantitative descriptive approach, involving a total of 1,038 respondents. Data was acquired using a closed questionnaire that had been modified and distributed using a QR code. The Weighted Mean approach was utilized in data analysis. The study revealed the following findings: 1) The green campus in Malang City has implemented a curriculum that is integrated with environmental education but has different implementation specifications; 2) Students’ environmental education in plastic waste management at the three green campuses fits in the high category; 3) The results indicated that student achievement was very high in awareness, high in knowledge and behavior, but low in skills and participation. Integrating environmental education into the learning process, along with stimulating activities, is crucial to encourage student participation in plastic waste management. © 2024 The authors.

Affiliations

Geography Department, Faculty of Social Science, Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Life and Environment Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, University of Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu, 808-0135, Japan; Department of Social Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu, 802-8577, Japan