Factors affecting household solid waste generation and management in Sri Lanka: an empirical study

This study examines the effect of “waste management” factors (Knowledge, Motivation, Time, Awareness, Contribution, Attitudes) on household waste generation (HWG), more precisely the measured weight of waste generated at households for a week (MWWGHW) while controlling for the socioeconomic factors such as family size, monthly family income, education level, and occupation. It also examines the moderating effects of the geographic location (urban versus rural areas) on the relationships between waste management factors and MWWGHW while controlling for the aforementioned socioeconomic factors. The overall results show that socioeconomic factors such as Family Size (β = 0.134; p < 0.001) and Monthly Family Income (β = 0.301; p < 0.001) significantly and positively influence MWWGHW, whereas the Occupation factor (β = − 0.106, p < 0.05) significantly and negatively influences MWWGHW. Furthermore, the results show that the Knowledge (β = − 0.129, p < 0.05), Motivation (β = − 0.161, p < 0.001), Contribution (β = − 0.111, p < 0.05), and Awareness (β= − 0.189, p < 0.001) factors significantly and negatively influence MWWGHW. While the results show that the geographic location Urban Area moderates significantly the relationship between the Motivation factor and MWWGHW (β = − 0.129, p < 0.05), the same results show, however, that the geographic location Rural Area moderates significantly but negatively the relationships between Knowledge factor and MWWGHW (β = − 0.187, p < 0.01); Motivation factor and MWWGHW (β = − 0.390, p < 0.001); Contribution factor and MWWGHW (β = − 0.154, p < 0.10); and Awareness factor and MWWGHW (β = − 0.285, p < 0.001). Based on these results, implications for policy orientations and future research are provided.