Role of Psychosocial Factors in Effective Design of Solid Waste Management Programmes: Evidence from India

Abstract

The critical need for behavioural change for effective solid waste management is well known. However, policies and programmes continue to underemphasize this crucial component in their design, especially in developing countries such as India. Further, empirical research on the psychosocial factors in solid waste management in developing countries is limited, including within India, where a large national programme for solid waste management is currently being implemented. Using a household survey based on the theory of planned behavioural change, we examine the psychosocial factors towards household waste segregation. We find that more than knowledge and attitude, consequences to behaviour play a critical role in intention as well as actual behaviour towards household waste segregation. Based on our findings, we draw implications for redesigning the national programme and contribute to empirical evidence on the role of psychosocial factors in solid waste management in the context of developing countries.