Effectiveness of an Awareness Program on Lunch Sheets Pollution: A Case study at Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium Pub Date : 2024-02-15 DOI:10.31357/fesympo.v27.7198

Gunathilake T.M.S.U., Tharindu G.A.N., Udayangi J.I., Weerasena O.V.D.C.J., Wanigasinghe S.P.A., Thennakoon H.G., Senarath M.V.R.P.D., Thilakarathne K.A.V., Bandara A.B.A.L., Seneviratne W.S.M.S., Sandaruwan G.L.H.

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Abstract

The research was based on irregular disposal practices among the FAS students and giving knowledge about alternatives instead of non-degradable lunch sheets. Among all years of students, including from 1st year to 4th year, 62 students were randomly selected from different combinations and data was collected by sharing a Google form. The collected data was based on the type of lunch sheets used (biodegradable/non-biodegradable); the way of discarding the used lunch sheets; knowledge of the decomposition period of non-biodegradable lunch sheets; awareness of alternatives and lunch sheets ban in Sri Lanka; knowledge of environmental and health impact; and their interest in biodegradable lunch sheets. A poster was shared with information on the environmental and health impacts of non-degradable lunch sheets and the alternatives that can be used to reduce the usage of lunch sheets. After the awareness program, the resurvey was conducted by sharing the Google form among the 62 students who had joined the survey to identify how their behavior had changed. Among 62 students, 93.2% of students used separate bins as a disposal method early and after the awareness program, it was upgraded to 96.7%. At the same time, 11.9% of students disposed of their lunch packaging by burning it, and it was reduced to 3.3%. Before the awareness program, only 27.1% of students knew the decomposing period (10-20 years). After the awareness program, 95% of students selected the correct answer. In the beginning, only 52.5% of students knew about the ban on non-degradable lunch sheets in Sri Lanka. According to the results of resurvey, their awareness about banning lunch sheets increased to 95%. In addition, the students were more knowledgeable than before about the impacts of lunch sheets on the environment and animals after the awareness program. As a result of the resurvey, the awareness of reusable food packaging has improved by up to 98.3%. Furthermore, results showed that 91.7% of students preferred to buy biodegradable packaging materials that are five times more expensive than currently used non-degradable lunch sheets. However, reducing the production cost of biodegradable packaging materials requires further research and investigations. In conclusion, after this study, students were made aware of lunch sheet pollution, environmental impact, and alternatives for lunch sheets. Further investigation into this research will be carried out based on other faculties belonging to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Keywords: Lunch sheet, Pollution, Non-degradable, Environmental effects

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午餐桌污染宣传计划的效果：斯里贾亚瓦德纳普拉大学应用科学学院案例研究

该研究基于 FAS 学生的不规范处理方式，并向他们传授有关替代不可降解餐单的知识。在所有年级的学生（包括一年级至四年级）中，从不同组合中随机抽取了 62 名学生，并通过共享谷歌表格收集数据。收集到的数据包括使用的餐单类型（可生物降解/不可生物降解）、丢弃用过餐单的方式、对不可生物降解餐单分解期的了解、对替代品和斯里兰卡餐单禁令的了解、对环境和健康影响的了解以及对可生物降解餐单的兴趣。我们还分发了一张海报，介绍不可降解餐单对环境和健康的影响，以及可用于减少使用餐单的替代品。宣传活动结束后，我们在 62 名参与调查的学生中分享了谷歌表格，以重新调查他们的行为发生了哪些变化。在 62 名学生中，93.2% 的学生在早期使用分类垃圾桶作为丢弃方式，而在宣传活动结束后，这一比例提高到了 96.7%。同时，有 11.9% 的学生通过焚烧的方式处理午餐包装，而在宣传活动结束后，这一比例降低到了 3.3%。在开展宣传活动之前，只有 27.1%的学生知道垃圾的分解期（10-20 年）。宣传活动结束后，95% 的学生选择了正确答案。最初，只有 52.5%的学生知道斯里兰卡禁止使用不可降解餐巾纸。根据重新调查的结果，他们对禁止使用餐单的认知度提高到了 95%。此外，宣传活动结束后，学生们对餐巾纸对环境和动物的影响也比以前有了更多的了解。重新调查的结果显示，学生对可重复使用食品包装的认识提高了 98.3%。此外，调查结果显示，91.7% 的学生更愿意购买可生物降解的包装材料，而这些材料的价格是目前使用的不可降解餐单价格的五倍。然而，降低可降解包装材料的生产成本还需要进一步的研究和调查。总之，通过本次研究，学生们了解了餐单污染、对环境的影响以及餐单的替代品。斯里贾亚瓦德纳普拉大学将在其他院系的基础上进一步开展此项研究。关键词餐单污染不可降解环境影响

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Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium

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