Extending theory of planned behavior in household waste sorting in China: the moderating effect of knowledge, personal involvement, and moral responsibility

Abstract

With the rapid increase in household waste, environmental degradation becomes more serious. It is imperative to promote household waste sorting in China. Therefore, this paper mainly studies the influencing factors of intention and behavior for household waste sorting. An extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) theoretical model is established by integrating TPB with the theory of environmental regulation. We investigate the moderating roles of knowledge, moral obligation and personal involvement on the relationship between perceived behavior control and low-carbon household waste sorting behavior. Based on 441 valid questionnaires data and structure equation model and multiple regression analysis and differencing analysing, we found that environmental regulation has the highest effect on behavioral intention for household waste sorting, followed by perceived behavioral control and attitude toward house waste sorting in the extended TPB model. In addition, intention and perceived behavior control for household waste sorting positively impact on behavior, followed by perceived behavior control. Knowledge, personal involvement, and moral responsibility have a positive moderating effect on the mechanism between perceived behavior control and household waste sorting behavior, respectively. It is important to enhance the residents' responsibility, personal involvement, and knowledge for household waste soring in China.