Testing a norm-based policy for waste management: An agent-based modeling simulation on nudging recycling behavior

Ceschi, Andrea; Sartori, Riccardo; Dickert, Stephan; Scalco, Andrea; Tur, Elena M.; Tommasi, Francesco Valerio; Delfini, Keren

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112938

Cited by 28 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Therefore, several researchers have suggested incorporating new variables that are relevant in the sense that they may theoretically influence intentions and behavior to improve the explanatory power of the TPB [13,32,47]. Researchers have expanded TPB associated with recycling behaviors by adding more variables to improve the predictive accuracy of TPB such as environmental concern and self-efficacy [47], perceived benefits and perceived cost [52], past behavior [53], situational factors [13], concern for the community [54], awareness towards the environmental problems and knowledge [55,56], environmental consciousness [57], institution and governance [58], socio-economic factors [45], place attachment and awareness of consequences [46], peer and surrounding influence [59], and recycling habits [44]. Therefore, to attain the study contributions, the concepts of moral norms (MN), awareness of consequences, and convenience have been incorporated into the TPB model.…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Influences Consumers to Recycle Solid Waste? An Application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

et al. 2022

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This extant study attempts to present a comprehensive predictive model for solid waste recycling behavior. Solid waste is a major environmental concern globally. Particularly, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), being the larger gulf country in the Middle East is a major contributor to solid waste. Consequently, this study was carried out to identify the motivational factors that consumers consider important for recycling their household waste. We extended the theory of planned behavior (TBP) and utilized actual behavioral variables such as resell, reuse, and donation. A structured questionnaire was carried out with 365 purposively selected respondents in the KSA. Among several other noteworthy findings consistent with previous studies, we found that reselling was the most significant factor of recycling behavior followed by donation. Further, the multi-group analysis (MGA) results reveal significant group differences in gender and age variables; the significance test indicates that the male group has much better pro-environmental behavior than the female group. In terms of age, our results showed that recycling intention and reselling behavior passed a significant test in the elderly group when compared to a younger group. This study has unique contributions and findings leading to practical implications for government authorities, businesses, and non-governmental organizations. The findings will particularly aid in increasing the recycling intention and behavior among household consumers. This research will guide in making laws and policies that can help to embrace the green challenges and boost recycling activities for a sustainable environment.

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Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Influences Consumers to Recycle Solid Waste? An Application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

et al. 2022

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“…Smart technology and human-centred waste management is important for modern cities, as shown in [ 22 ]. A combination of technology and especially human oriented solutions, specifically focusing on user experience and interaction design, can potentially change individual habits that can lead to large pro-environmental changes [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considering the technical implementation, existing studies are somewhat lacking in the user experience and interaction aspects. In [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], comparable smart waste management technologies and solutions are given; however, the user aspects are lacking.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Small individual behaviour changes can lead to a great impact when a significant number of people/users are considered. In [ 18 ] the authors use agent-based modelling (ABM) to examine the effectiveness of a nudge policy for improving recycling behaviour. The results based on a real data simulation suggest that nudges, in the form of norm-based policies, can be an effective solution to enhancing people’s recycling behaviour under specific circumstances.…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

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People-Centred Development of a Smart Waste Bin

Guna

Horvat

Podjed

2022

Sensors

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The study presented in this article focuses on the role of a smart waste bin (waste container) designed for waste management and explores what types of interventions people consider more appropriate in promoting environmentally responsible behaviour—based on norms or on an individual’s emotions. The smart waste bin development process was people-centred and paid particular attention to human experiences, allowing for various interaction modalities. By incorporating various sensors for waste volume and weight measurement in conjunction with presence and user identification capabilities, the experience was personalised. User feedback was collected by an extensive survey, consisting of four systematic sections, where values, attitudes, norms, perceived behavioural control, behavioural intention and actual behaviour were examined. The survey was completed by 194 respondents. The results showed that participants at the declarative level show a high level of environmental awareness and are very much willing to handle waste appropriately. Additionally, the results of the R&D process indicated that relatively cheap and efficient technological solutions can be developed to support waste management and sustainable lifestyles if the human-centred approach is taken into account.

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“…They claimed that source separation was the key to improving the packaging of recycled plastic. Ceschi et al [34] showed that promoting normative policies can increase recycling activities in Taiwan. Sukholthaman et al [35] proposed that for the sustainable development of urban waste management in Thailand, close cooperation among stakeholders was important.…”

Section: Waste Management Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating the Effect of Mixed Subsidy Policies on Urban Low-Value Recyclable Waste in China: A System Dynamics Approach

Sun

Xie

Jiang

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Low-value recyclable waste accounts for a large portion of urban waste output in many modern cities. The improper management and disposal of LVRW result in environmental pollution and a waste of resources. Given the characteristics of a high recovery cost and low recovery income of low-value recyclables, it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory waste disposal effect by completely relying on the market mechanism. It is thus necessary for the government to implement effective subsidies for multiple subjects in the urban waste recycling system (UWRS). This study examines the independent roles of four subsidy policies—subsidy to the third-party waste disposal institutions, subsidy to a state-owned waste disposal institution, R&D subsidy for green technology, and subsidy for government publicity—and develops a system dynamics model to verify the performance of the UWRS under different combinations of subsidy-based policies under multiple scenarios. Data on urban waste disposal for Guangzhou from 2019 and 2020 were used to validate and simulate the model. A sensitivity analysis of the main exogenous variables was carried out, and the conclusions are as follows: (1) On the premise of a fixed subsidy capital pool, a mixed subsidy policy produced the best impact on the UWRS. (2) The total subsidy needed to reach a certain threshold; otherwise, the mixed subsidy policy did not improve the UWRS. The total subsidy produced diminishing returns once it had exceeded the threshold. (3) Appropriately reducing subsidies for the third-party waste disposal institutions within a reasonable range does not affect the performance of the UWRS. (4) The effect of government publicity has short-term advantages, while the long-term potential of green technology is greater. Multi-agent coordination and the guidance of the market mechanism are important priorities in the design of subsidy-based policies. In addition, the trade-off between subjects needs attention, and a plan for mixed subsidy policies needs to be designed and implemented according to the response periods of different policies. The research here provides theoretical support for the government for designing subsidy-based policies.

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Testing a norm-based policy for waste management: An agent-based modeling simulation on nudging recycling behavior

Cited by 28 publications

References 67 publications

What Influences Consumers to Recycle Solid Waste? An Application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

What Influences Consumers to Recycle Solid Waste? An Application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

People-Centred Development of a Smart Waste Bin

Simulating the Effect of Mixed Subsidy Policies on Urban Low-Value Recyclable Waste in China: A System Dynamics Approach

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