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Residents’ Waste Separation Behaviors at the Source: Using SEM with the Theory of Planned Behavior in Guangzhou, China

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  • Dongliang Zhang

    (Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
    Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou 510070, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Guangqing Huang

    (Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou 510070, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xiaoling Yin

    (Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou 510070, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Qinghua Gong

    (Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou 510070, China)

Abstract

Understanding the factors that affect residents’ waste separation behaviors helps in constructing effective environmental campaigns for a community. Using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study examines factors associated with waste separation behaviors by analyzing responses to questionnaires distributed in Guangzhou, China. Data drawn from 208 of 1000-field questionnaires were used to assess socio-demographic factors and the TPB constructs ( i.e. , attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and situational factors). The questionnaire data revealed that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and situational factors significantly predicted household waste behaviors in Guangzhou, China. Through a structural equation modeling analysis, we concluded that campaigns targeting moral obligations may be particularly effective for increasing the participation rate in waste separation behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongliang Zhang & Guangqing Huang & Xiaoling Yin & Qinghua Gong, 2015. "Residents’ Waste Separation Behaviors at the Source: Using SEM with the Theory of Planned Behavior in Guangzhou, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:8:p:9475-9491:d:54060
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    References listed on IDEAS

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