Motivators factors behind the public’s use of smart recycling systems: perceived playfulness and environmental concern

Abstract

Abstract Smart cities around the world are seeking effective ways to recycle waste. A smart recycling service system is a new recycling method that allows people to engage in environmental protection. Previous studies on recycling have only focused on environmental concerns. Whether public intention to use smart recycling is influenced by environmental concern or perceived playfulness has yet to be explored. Therefore, this study proposes a modified technology acceptance model to discuss the impact of perceived playfulness and environmental concern on public intention to use smart recycling systems. We adopted the maximum likelihood estimation method as the measurement model for this study. The results show that both environmental concern and perceived playfulness motivate people to use smart recycling systems. However, perceived playfulness impacts public intention more than environmental concern and had the most significant impact among the four factors discussed in this study. Therefore, when seeking to improve and promote smart recycling systems, the focus should shift to promoting public intention to use and enhance their environmentally-friendly behavior in a playful way. This study provides new insights into the improvement of smart recycling systems and the implications for promoting them.