On the path to minimize plastic pollution: The perceived importance of education and knowledge dissemination strategies

Environmental awareness and education have been recognized as tools to help mitigate environmental issues. This study, performed in Portugal, aimed to describe perceived factors building environmental awareness on plastic pollution, study how perceptions are influenced by sociodemographic characteristics, and identify perceived priority targets for intervention. Results showed that participants recognize society's important role to raise awareness and to develop mitigation strategies. Higher perception was reported by women and participants with a higher level of school education. The more educated participants consider individuals possessing expert knowledge as a more reliable information source, whereas older and less schooled participants trust more in media messaging. Participants acknowledge that environmental education should be included in school plans, particularly in the first nine years of education (students with ages between 6 and 14, approximately). Data support the idea that target specific dissemination strategies should be planned according to variables like age, gender and education level. [Display omitted] •Factors underlying building environmental awareness about plastics were analyzed.•Women are more aware about the problem and mitigation strategies.•Younger and more educated participants privilege expert knowledge as source of information•Environmental education in schools is perceived important in the first 9 years of education.