Solid Waste Source Separation Behavior and it’s Association with Demographic, Socio-Economic, and Local Authority Involvement Factors at the Household Level in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Effective solid waste source separation behavior at the household level plays a pivotal role in modern societal scenarios. Understanding situational and socio-psychological factors, including knowledge, inconvenience, experience, awareness, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, is critical in improving practical waste separation practices. This study investigated the relationships between demographic, socio-economic and situational and socio-psychological factors on solid waste source separation behavior among households in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted within the positivist paradigm using the deductive method approach. The data were collected by distributing the structured questionnaire to 428 households selected under the cluster sampling strategy in the Western Province. The study revealed significant connections between situational and sociopsychological factors, such as knowledge, convenience, experience, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on households’ solid waste source separation behaviors. The study also identified significant associations between situational and socio-psychological factors and demographic and socio-economic factors. The findings implied that space for an integrative effort for households’ solid waste source separation behaviors and its association with demographic, socioeconomic, and local authority engagement is a pre-requisite arrangement for implementing on-bound solid waste management techniques in the country’s development regime. This suggests the need for effective solid waste source separation behavior among households for improving sustainable development policies and strategies, particularly in developing countries like Sri Lanka, which can be achieved through collaborative and participatory approaches. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to improve solid waste management practices and promote sustainable development targets.