Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Extending theory of planned behavior in household waste sorting in China: the moderating effect of knowledge, personal involvement, and moral responsibility

  • Published:
Environment, Development and Sustainability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

With the rapid increase in household waste, environmental degradation becomes more serious. It is imperative to promote household waste sorting in China. Therefore, this paper mainly studies the influencing factors of intention and behavior for household waste sorting. An extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) theoretical model is established by integrating TPB with the theory of environmental regulation. We investigate the moderating roles of knowledge, moral obligation and personal involvement on the relationship between perceived behavior control and low-carbon household waste sorting behavior. Based on 441 valid questionnaires data and structure equation model and multiple regression analysis and differencing analysing, we found that environmental regulation has the highest effect on behavioral intention for household waste sorting, followed by perceived behavioral control and attitude toward house waste sorting in the extended TPB model. In addition, intention and perceived behavior control for household waste sorting positively impact on behavior, followed by perceived behavior control. Knowledge, personal involvement, and moral responsibility have a positive moderating effect on the mechanism between perceived behavior control and household waste sorting behavior, respectively. It is important to enhance the residents' responsibility, personal involvement, and knowledge for household waste soring in China.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ajzen, I., Fishbein, M. Understanding attitudes and predicting social behavior, 1980.

  • Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behavior. In In: Kuhl J., Beckmann J. (eds) Action Control. SSSP Springer Series in Social Psychology (pp. 11–39). Springer, Berlin.

  • Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bassi, S. A., Christensen, T. H., & Damgaard, A. (2017). Environmental performance of household waste management in Europe—An example of 7 countries. Waste Management, 69, 545–557.

    Google Scholar 

  • Botetzagias, I., Dima, A. F., & Malesios, C. (2015). Extending the theory of planned behavior in the context of recycling: The role of moral norms and of demographic predictors. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 95, 58–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, B. M. (1989). A primer of LISREL: Basic applications and programming for confirmatory factor analytic models. New York, NY, US: Springer-Verlag Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, S., Long, X., Li, L., Liang, H., Wang, Q., & Ding, X. (2019). Determinants of intention and behavior of low carbon commuting through bicycle-sharing in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 212, 602–609.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, L., & Bishop, B. (2013). A moral basis for recycling: extending the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 36, 96–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, M. F. (2016). Extending the theory of planned behavior model to explain people’s energy savings and carbon reduction behavioral intentions to mitigate climate change in Taiwan–moral obligation matters. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 1746–1753.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S., Li, R., & Ma, Y. (2015). Paradox between willingness and behavior: classification mechanism of urban residents on household waste. China Population Resource and Environment, 25(9), 168–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, M. F., & Tung, P. J. (2010). The moderating effect of perceived lack of facilities on consumers’ recycling intentions. Environment and Behavior, 42(6), 824–844.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choe, C., & Fraser, I. (1999). An economic analysis of household waste management. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 38(2), 234–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corsini, F., Gusmerotti, N. M., Testa, F., & Iraldo, F. (2018). Exploring waste prevention behaviour through empirical research. Waste Management, 79, 132–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhokhikah, Y., Trihadiningrum, Y., & Sunaryo, S. (2015). Community participation in household solid waste reduction in Surabaya, Indonesia. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 102, 153–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du, H., Liu, D., Sovacool, B. K., Wang, Y., Ma, S., & Li, R. Y. M. (2018). Who buys New Energy Vehicles in China? Assessing social-psychological predictors of purchasing awareness, intention, and policy. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 58, 56–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan, B., Yang, W., & Shen, X. (2019). A comparison study of ‘motivation–intention–behavior’model on household solid waste sorting in China and Singapore. Journal of Cleaner Production, 211, 442–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention and behavior: an introduction to theory and research. Boston: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleckinger, P., & Glachant, M. (2010). The organization of extended producer responsibility in waste policy with product differentiation. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 59(1), 57–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu, J., & Geng, Y. (2019). Public participation, regulatory compliance and green development in China based on provincial panel data. Journal of Cleaner Production, 230, 1344–1353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao, L., Wang, S., Li, J., & Li, H. (2017). Application of the extended theory of planned behavior to understand individual’s energy saving behavior in workplaces. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2017(127), 107–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geiger, N., Swim, J. K., & Fraser, J. (2017). Creating a climate for change: interventions, efficacy and public discussion about climate change. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 51, 104–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ino, H. (2011). Optimal environmental policy for waste disposal and recycling when firms are not compliant. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 62(2), 290–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, R. R., Martinez, S. A., Palmer, K., & Podolsky, M. J. (2003). The determinants of household recycling: a material-specific analysis of recycling program features and unit pricing. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 45(2), 294–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, Y., & Rahman, Z. (2019). Consumers’ sustainable purchase behavior: modeling the impact of psychological factors. Ecological Economics, 159, 235–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, F. G., & Shimoda, T. A. (1999). Responsibility as a predictor of ecological behaviour. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 19(3), 243–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knussen, C., Yule, F., MacKenzie, J., & Wells, M. (2004). An analysis of intentions to recycle household waste: The roles of past behaviour, perceived habit, and perceived lack of facilities. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24(2), 237–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, A. (2019). Exploring young adults’e-waste recycling behaviour using an extended theory of planned behaviour model: A cross-cultural study. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 141, 378–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., Long, X., Laubayeva, A., Cai, X., & Zhu, B. (2020a). Behavioral intention of environmentally friendly agricultural food: the role of policy, perceived value, subjective norm. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1–13.

  • Li, L., Zhu, B., Jiang, M., Cai, X., Lau, A. K., & Shin, G. C. (2020b). The role of service quality and perceived behavioral control in shared electric bicycle in China: Does residual effects of past behavior matters? Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27, 24518–24530.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, J., Zuo, J., Cai, H., & Zillante, G. (2018). Construction waste reduction behavior of contractor employees: An extended theory of planned behavior model approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 1399–1408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liobikienė, G., Mandravickaitė, J., & Bernatonienė, J. (2016). Theory of planned behavior approach to understand the green purchasing behavior in the EU: A cross-cultural study. Ecological Economics, 125, 38–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, P., Teng, M., & Han, C. (2020). How does environmental knowledge translate into pro-environmental behaviors?: The mediating role of environmental attitudes and behavioral intentions. Science of the Total Environment, 729, 138126, forthcoming.

  • Liu, J. Y., Wang, H., & Chen, R. Q. (2009). Study on the impact of experiences in ecotourism accommodations and personal involvement on tourists’ environmental behavioral intentions. Tourism Tribune, 24(8), 82–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X., Wang, Z., Li, W., Li, G., & Zhang, Y. (2019). Mechanisms of public education influencing waste classification willingness of urban residents. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 149, 381–390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, X. L., Chen, Y. Q., Du, G., Oh, Y., & Han, I. S. (2017). The effect of environmental innovation behavior on economic and environmental performance of 182 Chinese firms. Journal of Cleaner Production, 166, 1274–1282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mi, L., Zhu, H., Yang, J., Gan, X., Xu, T., Qiao, L., et al. (2019). A new perspective to promote low-carbon consumption: The influence of reference groups. Ecological Economics, 161, 100–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minelgaitė, A., & Liobikienė, G. (2019). The problem of not waste sorting behaviour, comparison of waste sorters and non-sorters in European Union: Cross-cultural analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 672, 174–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Onwezen, M. C., Antonides, G., & Bartels, J. (2013). The norm activation model: an exploration of the functions of anticipated pride and guilt in pro-environmental behaviour. Journal of Economic Psychology, 39(1), 141–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pakpour, A. H., Zeidi, I. M., Emamjomeh, M. M., Asefzadeh, S., & Pearson, H. (2014). Household waste behaviours among a community sample in Iran: An application of the theory of planned behaviour. Waste Management, 34(6), 980–986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandey, R. U., Surjan, A., & Kapshe, M. (2018). Exploring linkages between sustainable consumption and prevailing green practices in reuse and recycling of household waste: Case of Bhopal city in India. Journal of Cleaner Production, 173, 49–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter, B., & Bokelmann, W. (2018). The significance of avoiding household food waste: A means-end-chain approach. Waste Management, 2018(74), 34–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ru, X., Qin, H., & Wang, S. (2019). Young people’ s behaviour intentions towards reducing PM2. 5 in China: Extending the theory of planned behaviour. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 141, 99–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarabia-Sánchez, F. J., Rodríguez-Sánchez, C., & Hyder, A. (2014). The role of personal involvement, credibility and efficacy of conduct in reported water conservation behaviour. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 38, 206–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seacat, J. D., & Northrup, D. (2010). An information–motivation–behavioral skills assessment of curbside recycling behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(4), 393–401.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, B. H., Hartwick, J., & Warshaw, P. R. (1988). The theory of reasoned action: A meta-analysis of past research with recommendations for modifications and future research. Journal of Consumer Research, 15(3), 325–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, H., Fan, J., & Zhao, D. (2017). Predicting household PM2. 5-reduction behavior in Chinese urban areas: An integrative model of theory of planned behavior and norm activation theory. Journal of Cleaner Production, 145, 64–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, E. C., & Fielding, K. S. (2019). Psychological predictors of fishing and waste management intentions in Indonesian coastal communities. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 65, 101324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoeva, K., & Alriksson, S. (2017). Influence of recycling programmes on waste separation behaviour. Waste Management, 68, 732–741.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thøgersen, J. (2004). A cognitive dissonance interpretation of consistencies and inconsistencies in environmentally responsible behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24(1), 93–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tonglet, M., Phillips, P. S., & Read, A. D. (2004). Using the theory of planned behaviour to investigate the determinants of recycling behaviour: a case study from Brixworth, UK. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 41(3), 191–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Visschers, V. H., Wickli, N., & Siegrist, M. (2016). Sorting out food waste behaviour: A survey on the motivators and barriers of self-reported amounts of food waste in households. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 45, 66–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wan, C., Shen, G. Q., & Choi, S. (2018). Understanding public support for recycling policy: To unveil the political side of influence and implications. Environmental Science & Policy, 82, 30–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z., Dong, X., & Yin, J. (2018a). Antecedents of urban residents’ separate collection intentions for household solid waste and their willingness to pay: Evidence from China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 173, 256–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z., Guo, D., & Wang, X. (2016). Determinants of residents’ e-waste recycling behaviour intentions: evidence from China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 137, 850–860.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z., Guo, D., Wang, X., Zhang, B., & Wang, B. (2018b). How does information publicity influence residents’ behavior intentions around e-waste recycling? Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 133, 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Q., Long, X., Li, L., Kong, L., Zhu, X., & Liang, H. (2020a). Engagement factors for waste sorting in China: The mediating effect of satisfaction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 122046.

  • Wang, S., Wang, J., Yang, S., Li, J., & Zhou, K. (2020b). From intention to behavior: Comprehending residents’ waste sorting intention and behavior formation process. Waste Management, 113, 41–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, S., Wang, J., Zhao, S., & Yang, S. (2019). Information publicity and resident’s waste separation behavior: An empirical study based on the norm activation model. Waste Management, 87, 33–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, L., Zhang, X., & Ling, M. (2018). Pro-environmental spillover under environmental appeals and monetary incentives: Evidence from an intervention study on household waste separation. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 60, 27–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaichkowsky, J. L. (1985). Measuring the involvement construct. Journal of Consumer Research, 12(3), 341–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, B., Lai, K. H., Wang, B., & Wang, Z. (2019). From intention to action: How do personal attitudes, facilities accessibility, and government stimulus matter for household waste sorting? Journal of Environmental Management, 233, 447–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., Zhang, M., Yu, X., & Ren, H. (2016). What keeps Chinese from recycling: Accessibility of recycling facilities and the behavior. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 109, 176–186.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 71911540483, 71603105), Ministry of Education and National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2018S1A5B8070344). Social Science Foundation of Jiangsu, China (No. 19GLC015), and Philosophy and Social Science Foundation for Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province (No. 2019SJA0160), and Research Start-up Fund of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (No. 2018r034).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China

    Yixuan Wang, Xingle Long, Qinglin Wang, Xiping Ding & Sijia Cai

  2. School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China

    Yixuan Wang & Sijia Cai

  3. School of Business, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China

    Liang Li

  4. Research Center for Prospering Jiangsu Province with Talents, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China

    Liang Li

  5. Research Institute for Environment and Health, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China

    Liang Li

Authors
  1. Yixuan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xingle Long
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Liang Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qinglin Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xiping Ding
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sijia Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Xingle Long or Liang Li.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 8.

Table 8 The structure of questionnaires
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, Y., Long, X., Li, L. et al. Extending theory of planned behavior in household waste sorting in China: the moderating effect of knowledge, personal involvement, and moral responsibility. Environ Dev Sustain 23, 7230–7250 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00913-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00913-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation