The process of forming waste sorting behavior: how convenience of recycling affect residents’ behavior in Ho Chi Minh city

Abstract

Waste sorting is an emerging environmental protection practice aimed at solving current environmental pollution problems. This study is an attempt to explore a theoretical research model that explains the process of forming intention and waste classification behavior of Ho Chi Minh City residents. This study expanded the Theory of the Planned Behavior model, including two additional explanatory variables (personal moral norms and waste sorting knowledge), as well as a moderating factor of incentive measures to clarify the intention to classify waste and the process of forming residents' behavior. In addition, this study also expands the research model with the variable convenience of recycling to test its impact on waste sorting behavior, something that not many previous studies have done. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey of 404 residents in Ho Chi Minh City and the authors analyze quantitative data, assess measurement scales, and test hypotheses by the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). The results show that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, personal moral norms, and waste sorting knowledge have a direct impact on resident's intention to classify waste. Waste sorting knowledge affects waste sorting intention through attitude and perceived behavioral control. In addition, this study also demonstrates that the relationship between intention and waste-sorting behavior is different and depends on incentive measures. Finally, this study presents a number of issues that help explore residents in Ho Chi Minh City waste sorting intentions and behaviors, and are valuable in encouraging them to classify waste in their daily lives.