Awareness and attitude of students higher education institution (HEI) in the Klang Valley toward waste management

Abstract

The research aimed to assess the level of environmental awareness and attitude of students from higher education institutions with regard to waste management. The three main problems that highlights this research are the high generation of waste, lack of environmental awareness and low environmental action as well as role of HEI in translating environmental knowledge into awareness and attitude. The study (i) assessed level of environmental awareness and attitude toward waste management among students in higher education institution (IIUM, UTMKL, UPM, UM, UniKLBMI), (ii) compares the level of environmental awareness and environmental attitudes of students between the five higher education institutions, (iii) analyzes the issues and problems related to waste management practices in the study area and finally (iv) recommends strategies and plan for effective waste management practices and attitude to be applied by residents of higher education institution. The data for this research was collected using a structured questionnaire survey, which were distributed to 200 respondents in each of the selected institutions which totals up to 1000 respondents. The study found that respondents from all five institutions had scored higher in level of awareness when compared to level of attitude. Respondents had also assessed themselves to be environmentally aware in their daily actions. Furthermore, the result shows that television advertisement and internet has become the most preferred source of information on waste management as well as environmental issues. The recommendation of the study is to provide a shift in source of information on waste management. The research also recommends that opportunities and incentives for pro-environmental behaviours to be offered in the form of more facilities as well as benefits.