Predicting waste management behaviors using an extended theory of reasoned action model

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has resulted in a significant increase in the amount of waste generated, which threatens the health and safety of millions of people worldwide. For our cities to become environmentally sustainable, proper waste management has become essential. A major source of pollution resulting from improper waste management are developing countries, such as the Philippines which is a top contributor to plastic wastes in oceans. Existing studies in this context focus on the effectiveness of specific waste management programs, and there is an opportunity to extend theories to improve our understanding of the waste management behaviors of households. Using an extended theory of reasoned action model that includes attitudes toward urban environmental sustainability, knowledge of urban environmental sustainability, and knowledge of waste management, this study predicted people’s waste management behaviors and their behavioral change factors in the study area. Results of regression analyses showed that attitudes and knowledge toward urban environmental sustainability predicted attitudes toward waste management. Results also showed that knowledge of urban environmental sustainability predicted knowledge of waste management. Moreover, attitudes toward waste management, subjective norms, and knowledge of waste management predicted intentions toward waste management. Finally, intentions toward waste management predicted waste management behavior. These findings empirically support the extended model, showing that the inclusion of urban environmental sustainability and knowledge-related factors can improve the prediction of waste management behaviors using the theory of reasoned action. These findings inform policymakers in crafting policies that will promote waste management behaviors to combat the negative consequences of urbanization.