Extending the TPB of residential waste sorting with situational factors using a data-driven approach: The case of Gothenburg, Sweden

Waste separation at source is perceived as an effective Municipal Waste Management strategy, and the success depends on understanding the drivers of proper waste sorting behaviour. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been extensively applied to determining the importance of different psycholog...

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Main Authors: Jonathan Cohen, Jorge Gil, Leonardo Rosado
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Waste Management Bulletin
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750724001093
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author Jonathan Cohen
Jorge Gil
Leonardo Rosado
author_facet Jonathan Cohen
Jorge Gil
Leonardo Rosado
author_sort Jonathan Cohen
collection DOAJ
description Waste separation at source is perceived as an effective Municipal Waste Management strategy, and the success depends on understanding the drivers of proper waste sorting behaviour. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been extensively applied to determining the importance of different psychological constructs in waste sorting behaviour. Despite evidence of its validity in specific contexts, in urban contexts, one requires an understanding of how the built environment affects waste sorting behaviour. Furthermore, this study introduces the use of Exploratory Factor Analysis as a data-driven approach to define various TPB constructs from a collection of items, including situational factors such as distance to waste bins or the condition of recycling facilities. It shows how this technique outperforms the typical top-down approach of starting from pre-defined items assigned to its constructs. This study surveyed residents of Gothenburg, Sweden, to capture empirical data on factors that affect the planned behaviour of waste separation. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is used to evaluate the extended TPB model and extract the drivers of waste sorting behaviour. Results from the study can extend the application of TPB to inform urban planners about the location and maintenance of waste management infrastructure.
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spelling doaj-art-b108bd4dfe284358b736673d6b1fdedd2025-08-20T03:05:41ZengElsevierWaste Management Bulletin2949-75072025-04-0131879510.1016/j.wmb.2024.12.007Extending the TPB of residential waste sorting with situational factors using a data-driven approach: The case of Gothenburg, SwedenJonathan Cohen0Jorge Gil1Leonardo Rosado2Corresponding author.; Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, SwedenWaste separation at source is perceived as an effective Municipal Waste Management strategy, and the success depends on understanding the drivers of proper waste sorting behaviour. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been extensively applied to determining the importance of different psychological constructs in waste sorting behaviour. Despite evidence of its validity in specific contexts, in urban contexts, one requires an understanding of how the built environment affects waste sorting behaviour. Furthermore, this study introduces the use of Exploratory Factor Analysis as a data-driven approach to define various TPB constructs from a collection of items, including situational factors such as distance to waste bins or the condition of recycling facilities. It shows how this technique outperforms the typical top-down approach of starting from pre-defined items assigned to its constructs. This study surveyed residents of Gothenburg, Sweden, to capture empirical data on factors that affect the planned behaviour of waste separation. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is used to evaluate the extended TPB model and extract the drivers of waste sorting behaviour. Results from the study can extend the application of TPB to inform urban planners about the location and maintenance of waste management infrastructure.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750724001093Waste managementTheory planned behaviourCase studyBuilt environmentTPB
spellingShingle Jonathan Cohen
Jorge Gil
Leonardo Rosado
Extending the TPB of residential waste sorting with situational factors using a data-driven approach: The case of Gothenburg, Sweden
Waste Management Bulletin
Waste management
Theory planned behaviour
Case study
Built environment
TPB
title Extending the TPB of residential waste sorting with situational factors using a data-driven approach: The case of Gothenburg, Sweden
title_full Extending the TPB of residential waste sorting with situational factors using a data-driven approach: The case of Gothenburg, Sweden
title_fullStr Extending the TPB of residential waste sorting with situational factors using a data-driven approach: The case of Gothenburg, Sweden
title_full_unstemmed Extending the TPB of residential waste sorting with situational factors using a data-driven approach: The case of Gothenburg, Sweden
title_short Extending the TPB of residential waste sorting with situational factors using a data-driven approach: The case of Gothenburg, Sweden
title_sort extending the tpb of residential waste sorting with situational factors using a data driven approach the case of gothenburg sweden
topic Waste management
Theory planned behaviour
Case study
Built environment
TPB
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750724001093
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