An assessment of the influence of awareness of benefits and perceived difficulties on waste sorting intention in Beijing

Waste sorting is the most crucial step in the success of waste management. Recently in Beijing, a series of regulations have been introduced to promote the household's adoption of waste sorting. While these regulations matter, it is necessary for policymakers to better understand why and why not people intend to adopt waste sorting. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of residents’ awareness of benefits and difficulties on the waste sorting intention and how policy plays a role in determining residents’ intention to adopt waste sorting. Drawing upon the Theory of Reasoned Action, a conceptual framework is tested on a sample of Chinese residents in Beijing (n = 267) using hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results reveal that there is a positive relationship between resident's awareness of benefits and their waste sorting intention. However, there is a negative relationship between resident's perceived difficulties and their intention to engage in waste sorting. These findings are found to be contingent upon the extent of perceived policy effectiveness. The findings of this study provide environmental policymakers with not only insights into reasons behinds residential waste sorting intention but also several recommendations in promoting waste sorting among the residents. This study also suggests policymakers to carefully design effective waste sorting policies by highlighting the benefits and lessening the difficulties.