Perceptions Towards Fabrics Production from Recycled Plastic Water Bottles in Oman, Survey Study

Enormous amounts of plastic bottles waste are a threat to the environment. These can be recycled to useful and high-demand products. A questionnaire was distributed to the residents in Oman to estimate the number of plastic bottles produced per week, disposal method, and environmental problems, public support for recycling and buying fabrics made from plastic bottles. A total of 343 participants answered the survey. About 73.7% of participants preferred to drink bottled water. Most of them (75%) dispose the plastic water bottles in the garbage. Vast majority of respondents (97.6%) believed that these bottles can affect the environment and 68.2% respondents agreed they can cause animals? death and environmental pollution. Moreover, it was found that 81.92%, 86.30% and 89.21% of participants were aware about possibility of recycling, the need of recycling in Oman and saving the energy, respectively. More than half of respondents (58%) suggested that bags collected from homes is the best way for collection. Moreover, the majority of respondents prefer to convert plastic bottles to fabrics (66.5%). Mostly female stated that they used fabrics especially for Abayas and dresses. In addition, it was calculated that the number of plastic bottles produced per week is about 3612 which can produce 8074.08 meters of fabrics yearly, therefore covering 50% of the population's need. Finally, recycling plastic bottles will enrich the economy and help in protecting the environment.