THE DRIVING MECHANISM OF WASTE CLASSIFICATION BEHAVIOUR STUDIES THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE, SUBJECTIVE NORM AND PERCEIVED BEHAVIOUR CONTROL

Abstract

Waste classification is an important environmental governance problem in urban sustainable development, but the formation mechanism of residents’ classification behaviour is not clear. Based on the theory of planned behaviour and values-belief-norm theory, this study constructed a structural equation model to explore the influence of environmental values, subjective norms, and perceived behaviour control on waste classification behaviour, and analyzes the mediating role of waste classification intention. Based on the empirical analysis of 468 valid questionnaires in Hefei, it is found that: (1) subjective norms and perceived behaviour control have a significant positive impact on waste classification behaviour, among which subjective norms have the strongest influence; (2) environmental values have no direct influence on waste classification behaviour, but can indirectly influence behaviour through the intention of waste classification; (3) waste classification consciousness plays a partial intermediary role between various variables and waste classification behaviour. Research shows that to improve residents’ waste classification behaviour, it needs to strengthen the guidance of social norms, to improve the classification facilities, to enhance the perception of behaviour control, and to enhance the intention of waste classification through publicity and education, so as to provide empirical support for policy formulation.