Determinants of proper disposal of single-use masks: knowledge, perception, behavior, and intervention measures.

Autor:	Petrescu DC; Department of Hospitality Services, Faculty of Business, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, Romania.; Department of Economy and Rural Development, Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium., Rastegari H; Department of Rural Development Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran., Petrescu-Mag IV; Department of Engineering and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, Romania., Petrescu-Mag RM; Department of Economy and Rural Development, Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium.; Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.; Doctoral School 'International Relations and Security Studies', Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	PeerJ [PeerJ] 2023 Apr 06; Vol. 11, pp. e15104. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Apr 06 (Print Publication: 2023).
DOI:	10.7717/peerj.15104
Abstrakt:	Background: Although many studies testify to consumer behavior's role in the context of waste-related sustainability objectives, little research examined what people know, think, and feel about the environmental impacts of their personal protective equipment (PPE) or their behavior towards them, in general. Therefore, the present article complements existing information about the public perceptions, knowledge, and behavior of single-use masks in a context where the pandemic has put increasing pressure on waste management public services. From February to June 2020, municipal solid waste increased ten times in Romania. The study identified the factors that predicted the proper disposal of single-use masks and the measures preferred to prevent or minimize the negative impact of single-use mask waste. Method: Data from a representative sample of 705 Romanians were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed with SPSS and SmartPLS. The Cochran's Q test was run to determine the existence of differences between percentages of people who preferred various measures. Dunn's test with a Bonferroni correction was used to identify the exact pair of groups where the differences were located. The study utilized structural equation models (SEM) based on at least partial squares with SmartPLS software (3.2.8) to investigate causal links between constructs. The model considered that the dependent variable (environmentally friendly behavior: proper disposal of single-use masks) could be influenced by the knowledge, perception, behavior, and demographics variables. Results: The findings indicated that knowledge of the type of material of single-use masks had a direct positive ( β = 0.173) and significant effect on their proper disposal. The perception of mask waste impact has a negative and significant ( β = -0.153, p < 0.001) impact on the proper disposal of single-use masks. This path coefficient illustrates that the worse the perceived impact of single-use masks on waste management activity, the higher the proper disposal of single-use masks. Gender has a positive ( β = 0.115) and significant ( p < 0.001) effect on the proper disposal of single-use masks. Conclusions: It was concluded that the 5Rs waste management approach should be reconsidered for single-use mask waste. For example, "Reuse" and the classic "Recycle" have limited applications since they may lead to virus transmission and possible infection. "Reducing" the use of single-use masks could have repercussions on one's health. Summing up, the study outlined recommendations for effective interventions for the proper disposal of single-use masks from the perspective of behavioral studies. Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. (© 2023 Petrescu et al.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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