Policy implementation on waste separation behaviour among households in Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to examine the extent each policy tool influences waste separation intention and behaviour. The study applies the extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) by incorporating policy tools as Perceived Policy Effectiveness constructs. The proposed modification to the TPB comprises nine constructs which are Attitude, Subjective Norms, Perceived Behaviour Control, Perceived Policy Effectiveness (PPE) Capacity Building, PPE Mandates, PPE Inducement, PPE System Changing, Waste Separation Intention and Waste Separation Behaviour. The sample area of the study is Kuala Lumpur as it is a densely populated area. Prior to data collection, the developed questionnaire was validated by expert’s review and a pilot test. The Rasch Measurement Model was used to verify the items’ reliability during the pilot test. This quantitative study employed questionnaire to collect data from four residential areas in Kuala Lumpur using the random sampling method. Four hundred and eighty questionnaires were distributed. Data collected was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) to determine the relationship between variables. Attitude, Subjective Norms, Perceived Behaviour Control and PPE Mandates were found to significantly influence households waste separation intention. These findings contribute towards the enrichment of literatures by integrating new variables into the TPB model to explain households waste separation behaviour, particularly in the Malaysian context. This study also provides suggestions to policy makers on improving policy intervention to influence household behaviour on waste separation.