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Can Internet Use Narrow the Gap between Farmers’ Willingness and Behavior in Waste Classification? Empirical Evidence from Rural Areas in Jiangsu Province, China

Author

Listed:
  • Wenchao Cui

    (School of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Yanjun Chen

    (School of Economics and Management, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030000, China)

  • Hengyuan Zeng

    (School of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

Abstract

Household waste classification and treatment are important for environmental protection and sustainable development. The Logit model is used to analyze differences in farmers’ willingness and behavior regarding waste classification based on data from the China Land Economic Survey. Key findings include the following: (1) There is an evident discrepancy between waste classification willingness and action among rural residents. Despite nearly 90% of the sampled farmers expressing a willingness, nearly 40% do not practice waste classification. (2) Internet usage significantly reduces the discrepancy between farmers’ willingness and actual waste classification practices. This observation is valid even after robustness checks and endogeneity discussions. (3) There is a partial mediating effect between ecological awareness and knowledge perception on farmers’ willingness and behavior differences, which accounts for 12.9% and 52.6%, respectively, of the total impact. Notably, institutional limitations amplify the negative influence of Internet use on this discrepancy. (4) According to heterogeneity analysis, Internet use has a greater negative impact on farmers’ willingness and behavior in waste classification in suburban villages and villages with environmental governance projects. This study proposes policy suggestions such as strengthening the construction of digital infrastructure in rural areas, enhancing the promotion and training of waste classification among farmers, and improving incentives and restraint mechanisms for rural household waste classification.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenchao Cui & Yanjun Chen & Hengyuan Zeng, 2024. "Can Internet Use Narrow the Gap between Farmers’ Willingness and Behavior in Waste Classification? Empirical Evidence from Rural Areas in Jiangsu Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:2726-:d:1364136
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mingwei Liu & Qingxiang Feng, 2021. "Does Social Capital Promote Garbage Classification? Evidence From China," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, August.
    2. Dingde Xu & Chen Qing & Yang Chen & Jia He & Fengwan Zhang, 2023. "Sustainable Development of Rural Human Settlements in the Information Age: Can Internet Use Drive Farmers to Participate in Garbage Classification?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Ogutu, Sylvester Ochieng & Okello, Julius Juma & Otieno, David Jakinda, 2014. "Impact of Information and Communication Technology-Based Market Information Services on Smallholder Farm Input Use and Productivity: The Case of Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 311-321.
    4. Junpeng Li & Puneet Vatsa & Wanglin Ma, 2023. "Small Acts With Big Impacts: Does Garbage Classification Improve Subjective Well-Being in Rural China?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(3), pages 1337-1363, June.
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