Investigation of factors influencing source separation intention towards municipal solid waste among urban residents of India

This study attempts to identify the source separation intention level of urban Indian residents' for separating their MSW at the source. The study proposes a theoretical model that consists of a total of sixteen factors out of which, fifteen are independent with one mediating (attitude) factor, and one dependent (intention) factor. Addition to the tested factors from previous studies, this study adds four new factors like perceived benefit, perceived risk, market characteristics, and social awareness in the literature of source separation of MSW at source literature. Moreover, the study also adds a mathematical equation in the literature that calculate the level of source separation intention of an individual. The presented theoretical model is tested through an empirical study and the proposed hypotheses are verified by surveying the urban Indian residents of age group 18-60. Impact of factors on source separation intention (SSI) analysed using the partial least square structural equation modelling. Results reveal that, out of fifteen, eleven factors have a significant influence on source separation intention and residents are willing to separate their waste. Moreover, it is observed that perceived benefit, source separation facility, market characteristic, and social awareness are emerged as top four factors having the most impact on source separation intention of urban Indian residents. Further, the mediating effect of attitude is also observed as significant for factors.

Automated summary

This study conducted an empirical study to validate the intention of urban Indian residents to separate their waste at the source, identifying key factors influencing source separation intention and proposing a theoretical model to explain this phenomenon.