Consumers’ Attitude and Plastic Waste Disposal Behavior in Southeast, Nigeria

This study examined the influence of consumers’ attitude on plastic waste disposal behaviour in Southeast, Nigeria. Despite the awareness about the usage of plastics and its environmental negative impact, consumers, irrespective of educational qualification and profession, use plastic products in their daily life activities. With the ubiquity of plastic waste in Nigerian environment today, it is important to take cognizance of how consumer attitudes influence plastic waste disposal behavior in Southeast Nigeria. Specifically, the influence of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, environmental knowledge, and environmental concern on plastic waste disposal behavior in southeast Nigeria was ascertained. The study applied survey research design accompanied by the simple linear regression used to test the influence of consumers’ attitude on plastic waste disposal behavior. The result of the analysis revealed that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, environmental knowledge, and environmental concern have significant influence on consumers’ plastic waste disposal behavior in Southeast Nigeria. To this end, this study concludes that consumers’ attitude has significant influence on plastic waste disposal behavior in Southeast Nigeria. The study recommends that State Governments in the Southeast should strengthen positive environmental attitudes through awareness campaigns, community education, and visible government commitment to waste management infrastructure can foster stronger behavioral intentions, ultimately curbing plastic pollution in the region. State Governments in the Southeast are advised to ensure sustainable waste management in the region must be grounded in social and cultural dynamics. Harnessing the power of social approval, communal responsibility, and cultural authority can accelerate progress toward cleaner and healthier environments. This contributes to knowledge by extending the theory of planned behavior to understand the influence of consumers’ attitude on plastic waste disposal behavior in Southeast Nigeria.