Cleaner Materials (Mar 2023)
Exploring e-waste recycling behaviour intention among the households: Evidence from India
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to look into the causes and consequences of e-waste recycling intentions. A conceptual model is developed and tested using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). We investigated the impact of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control on household residents' intention to recycle e-waste. Bringing habits and convenience together in a prominent model that predicts people's recycling behaviour. Households play a significant role in the growth of the e-waste problem because they are at the forefront of the consumption, generation, and management processes. Design/methodology/approach: This study aims to examine the e - waste recycling behaviour among households (n = 228) in a metropolitan city in southern India using a structured survey method using a questionnaire. As a statistical technique for data analysis, hierarchical regression was used. Findings: Based on the results of a hierarchical regression analysis, I attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control are positively connected to recycling intention, and (ii) recycling intention, habits, and convenience are favourably related to recycling behaviour in households. Good explanatory power and confirmation of its robustness are shown by the integrated model's ability to account for more than 53% of the variance in households' e-waste recycling behaviour. Attitudes and subjective norms are shown to be major determinants of households' inclination to recycle electronic garbage. There is an inverse relationship between perceived behavioural control and the intent to recycle electronic waste. Surprisingly, other characteristics like routine and convenience reveal a considerable influence on people's propensity to recycle e-waste at home. Research implications/limitations: The current study is limited by the common method bias and the social desirability bias because it relies on self-report measures. On the other hand, proper statistical methods were used in this work to minimize such distortions. Practical implications: Reducing the amount of electronic waste is predicted to lessen environmental degradation, and when local governments raise awareness about electronic waste among inhabitants, 'green behaviour' is encouraged. Originality/value: The findings of this research shed new light on the recycling habits of locals. To the best of our knowledge, the conceptual model created and tested on the Indian subcontinent adds to the growing literature on recycling intention and behaviour.
