IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i12p5322-d1674990.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Enhancing Community Waste Recycling in Taiwan: Key Drivers Affecting Consumers in Waste Recycling

Author

Listed:
  • Ching-Jung Kuo

    (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Chun Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan)

  • Xiao Jin Nah

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106344, Taiwan)

  • Hsin-Wei Hsu

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106344, Taiwan)

Abstract

The municipal solid waste generation is projected to spike from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. In Taiwan, the upsurge of waste volume, in addition to periodic maintenance of incinerators, which may persist up to four months, has resulted in limited incineration capacity. The optimum approach to address the challenge is to reduce the amount of waste sent for incineration by effective segregation of combustible and non-combustible waste, as well as improving the public recycling rate. Local authorities play a significant role in encouraging public recycling and restricting non-burnable waste from being delivered to incinerators within a short period of time. This can greatly reduce the amount of waste and incinerator maintenance costs. This study aimed to explore the key driving factors for public participation in waste recycling and translate the determinants into policy in order to increase the waste recycling rate. The study employed literature analysis to select factors repeatedly mentioned as indicators and conducted online surveys to collect data on factors influencing consumer engagement in waste recycling in Taiwan. This study also adopted the Analytic Hierarchy Process and established a hierarchical framework with four dimensions (Psychological, Knowledge, Policy, and Infrastructure) and thirteen indicators. The findings have demonstrated that infrastructure (0.275) is the most influential aspect in affecting consumers’ recycling actions, followed by psychological (0.256) and policy aspects (0.251), and knowledge aspect (0.218) as the least influential factor. Positive rewards (0.120), recycling knowledge (0.118), and well-built infrastructure (0.113) were specifically identified as key drivers in encouraging recycling. The findings informed the public’s priorities in recycling involvement, and strategic initiatives targeted at these preferences can effectively assist local authorities in promoting citizen engagement in recycling. Policies that meet public demands, such as positive rewards for recycling, dissemination of recycling knowledge, and provision and improvement of more recycling infrastructure, can ensure the success of the policy implementation and serve as a reference for other Asian countries in reducing waste and improving the recycling rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Ching-Jung Kuo & Xiao Jin Nah & Hsin-Wei Hsu, 2025. "Enhancing Community Waste Recycling in Taiwan: Key Drivers Affecting Consumers in Waste Recycling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-39, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5322-:d:1674990
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5322/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5322/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yalin Yuan & Hisako Nomura & Yoshifumi Takahashi & Mitsuyasu Yabe, 2016. "Model of Chinese Household Kitchen Waste Separation Behavior: A Case Study in Beijing City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Chang Wang & Tingting Zhu & Hailin Yao & Qiao Sun, 2020. "The Impact of Green Information on the Participation Intention of Consumers in Online Recycling: An Experimental Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Davis, Georgina & Phillips, Paul S. & Read, Adam D. & Iida, Yuki, 2006. "Demonstrating the need for the development of internal research capacity: Understanding recycling participation using the Theory of Planned Behaviour in West Oxfordshire, UK," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 115-127.
    4. Struk, Michal, 2017. "Distance and incentives matter: The separation of recyclable municipal waste," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 155-162.
    5. Lee, Misuk & Choi, Hyunhong & Koo, Yoonmo, 2017. "Inconvenience cost of waste disposal behavior in South Korea," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 58-65.
    6. Alessandra DiGiacomo & David W.-L. Wu & Peter Lenkic & Bud Fraser & Jiaying Zhao & Alan Kingstone, 2018. "Convenience improves composting and recycling rates in high-density residential buildings," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(2), pages 309-331, January.
    7. Babak Nemat & Mohammad Razzaghi & Kim Bolton & Kamran Rousta, 2019. "The Role of Food Packaging Design in Consumer Recycling Behavior—A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-23, August.
    8. Adu-Gyamfi, Gibbson & Asamoah, Ama Nyarko & Nketiah, Emmanuel & Obuobi, Bright & Adjei, Mavis & Cudjoe, Dan & Zhu, Bangzhu, 2023. "Reducing waste management challenges: Empirical assessment of waste sorting intention among corporate employees in Ghana," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    9. Coralie Hellwig & Greta Häggblom-Kronlöf & Kim Bolton & Kamran Rousta, 2019. "Household Waste Sorting and Engagement in Everyday Life Occupations After Migration—A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-29, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jing Shen & Donghui Zheng & Xiaoning Zhang & Mei Qu, 2020. "Investigating Rural Domestic Waste Sorting Intentions Based on an Integrative Framework of Planned Behavior Theory and Normative Activation Models: Evidence from Guanzhong Basin, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Trujillo, Francisca & Chávez, Carlos & Jaime, Marcela & Salazar, César, 2025. "Households' preferences for door-to-door recycling service: A choice experiment in southern Chile," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    3. Lichi Zhang & Yanyan Jiang & Junmin Wu, 2022. "Evolutionary Game Analysis of Government and Residents’ Participation in Waste Separation Based on Cumulative Prospect Theory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Guojun Ji & Zhongfeng Sun & Kim Hua Tan, 2021. "Collaborative Rebate Strategy of Business-to-Customer Platforms Considering Recycling and Trade-Ins Simultaneously," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Yi He & Qianqian Xu & Da Zhao, 2020. "Impacts of the BOPS Option on Sustainable Retailing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
    6. Romano, Giulia & Molinos-Senante, María & Carosi, Laura & Llanquileo-Melgarejo, Paula & Sala-Garrido, Ramón & Mocholi-Arce, Manuel, 2021. "Assessing the dynamic eco-efficiency of Italian municipalities by accounting for the ownership of the entrusted waste utilities," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    7. Woo, JongRoul & Moon, Sungho & Choi, Hyunhong, 2022. "Economic value and acceptability of advanced solar power systems for multi-unit residential buildings: The case of South Korea," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    8. Cherry C. I. Lau & Christina W. Y. Wong, 2024. "Achieving sustainable development with sustainable packaging: A natural‐resource‐based view perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4766-4787, July.
    9. Yanqing Song & Han Bao & Shan Shen, 2022. "Understanding the Influence of Initial Values of College Students in Shaping Pro-Environmental Behavioral Intention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, August.
    10. Fontecha, John E. & Nikolaev, Alexander & Walteros, Jose L. & Zhu, Zhenduo, 2022. "Scientists wanted? A literature review on incentive programs that promote pro-environmental consumer behavior: Energy, waste, and water," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 82(PA).
    11. Esther Lee & Gerald Shurson & Sang-Hyon Oh & Jae-Cheol Jang, 2024. "The Management of Food Waste Recycling for a Sustainable Future: A Case Study on South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-17, January.
    12. Babak Nemat & Mohammad Razzaghi & Kim Bolton & Kamran Rousta, 2020. "The Potential of Food Packaging Attributes to Influence Consumers’ Decisions to Sort Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, March.
    13. N. Robert Kerkulah Geninyan & Engin Baysen & Askin Kiraz, 2023. "Challenges and Prospects of Solid Waste Management in Monrovia City, Liberia," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(3), pages 62-76, March.
    14. Choi, Hyunhong & Shim, Dongnyok & Kim, Seung Wan, 2024. "Heterogeneous public preferences for undergrounding high-voltage power transmission lines: The case of Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    15. Choi, Hyunhong & Shin, Jungwoo & Woo, JongRoul, 2018. "Effect of electricity generation mix on battery electric vehicle adoption and its environmental impact," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 13-24.
    16. HyungBin Moon & Hyunhong Choi & Jongsu Lee & Ki Soo Lee, 2017. "Attitudes in Korea toward Introducing Smart Policing Technologies: Differences between the General Public and Police Officers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-17, October.
    17. Lizin, Sebastien & Van Dael, Miet & Van Passel, Steven, 2017. "Battery pack recycling: Behaviour change interventions derived from an integrative theory of planned behaviour study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 66-82.
    18. Xuan Thi Dan Huynh & Tien Dung Khong & Adam Loch & Huynh Viet Khai, 2023. "Solid waste management program in developing countries: contingent valuation methodology versus choice experiment," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 12395-12417, November.
    19. Fengni Gao & Emmanuel Nketiah & Victor Shi, 2024. "Understanding and Enhancing Food Conservation Behaviors and Operations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-18, March.
    20. Agovino, Massimiliano & Garofalo, Antonio & Marchesano, Katia & Monteleone, Simona & Musella, Gaetano, 2025. "The role of the institutional supply chain in the transition from the linear to the circular paradigm: The Italian case," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5322-:d:1674990. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.