Predicting the Intention to Sort Waste at Home in Rural Communities in Lebanon: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Municipal solid waste management instruments that influence the use of the refuse as fuel in developing countries: A critical review

Landfills are the destination of most of the refuse generated whereas composting, material recycling, and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies are not commonly employed in developing countries. However, the destination for energy purposes could be supplied with this refuse, improving the viability of energy use. Thus, this article raises some questions to identify aspects that could encourage its use as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in these countries. Among them, does environmental education affect the municipal solid waste (MSW) source separation with emphasis on a destination? Can selective collection and extended producer responsibility (EPR) affect the MSW for energy recovery? Is there competition between the recycling market and the energy market for RDF? A systematic review of the literature was conducted to gather data and provide answers to such questions. This enabled to observe that EPR, selective collect expansion and source separation influence the quantity and quality of waste sent for energy use. Both internal and external factors impact on source separation. Additionally, there is evidence to support that despite several studies showing their technical, economic, environmental and social viability, the methods of energy usage of the refuse still need to improve their deployment in developing countries. In addition to identifying the main research gaps to be filled in future studies, the article also identified the instruments of MSW management that are to be applied in developing countries to divert recyclable and organic waste from landfill.

Household waste management behaviour amongst residents in an informal settlement in Durban, South Africa

In South Africa, household waste management is a significant challenge in informal settlements, as most of these lack basic waste management infrastructure, and the government's waste management services are limited. This contextual setting brings unique challenges that have not been extensively explored in existing research. Understanding waste management behaviour is therefore critical in addressing underlying challenges and improving waste management practices in such settlements. The purpose of this study was to assess the waste management behaviour among residents of the Shannon Drive informal settlement, in Durban, South Africa. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study conducted a cross-sectional survey amongst 226 residents at the Shannon Drive informal settlement in Durban, South Africa. The findings suggest that whilst individuals have a positive attitude towards managing their household waste, they believe that it is solely the responsibility of the municipality to manage this in their area, which could have implications for waste management policies and programs. The findings suggest that there is a need for continued education and outreach efforts to promote positive behaviour towards household waste management.

The Perception and Attitude of Farmers toward Domestic Waste Classifications: A Case Study on Wusheng County, Sichuan Province, China

The effective treatment of rural domestic waste is the key to solving rural environmental pollution and realizing rural ecological revitalization. Giving full play to the main role of farmers' domestic waste classification can improve the efficiency and effect of domestic waste treatment. To explore the key factors affecting the farmers' perception, attitude, and behavior of domestic waste classification, this study with 318 farmers in Sichuan Province as the research object, the research framework of domestic waste classification behavior was constructed based on the theory of planned behavior, and then, the logistic regression model was used for the empirical test. The results show that the farmers' education levels, subjective norms, relatives' and neighbors' views on waste classification, farmers' awareness regarding the negative environmental impacts caused by waste, farmers' private benefits, and farmers' views on the waste management ability of local governments are significantly positively correlated with the classification behavior of farmers' domestic waste. The distance between farmers' houses and waste collection points is significantly negatively correlated with the classification behavior of farmers' domestic waste. This paper provides a certain theoretical reference for realizing the reduction, resourcization, and positive development of rural domestic waste management in China.

Teaching Social Marketing Using E-Service Learning Amidst Health and Humanitarian Crises: A Case Study from Lebanon

We present the design, implementation, and evaluation of an e-service learning course, "Social Marketing for Health Promotion", offered to full-time and part-time students enrolled in the Master of Public Health at our institution. In a quasi-experimental trial, we introduced e-service learning in 2018, comparing a traditional face-to-face section to a blended course (33% online). Based on the positive feedback received, we progressively increased the online component in the following academic years, reaching 100% online in Fall 2020. We compared the quantitative and qualitative indicators evaluating three e-service learning-course iterations with a face-to-face control. The impact indicators included participation and engagement in the course, the attainment of the learning outcomes, satisfaction with the course, instructors and mode of delivery, and the impact of the experience beyond the classroom. Over the years, we trained 73 students whose engagement with the course remained relatively stable. The attainment of the learning outcomes and general course satisfaction steadily increased over time, demonstrating a positive impact on student learning. Qualitative data illustrate the importance of instructors in setting expectations and guiding students and community partners through a remote-learning process.

What Factors Affect Farmers' Levels of Domestic Waste Sorting Behavior? A Case Study from Shaanxi Province, China

Waste sorting is a key element for solving the current predicament of rural waste management. In the pilot areas of China, farmers' domestic waste sorting behavior (DWSB) varies significantly, whereas there are few studies exploring the mechanism of its formation. To fill this research gap, this study constructs a research model of the internal logic of farmers' waste sorting levels (i.e., no sorting; sorting recyclable waste; sorting recyclable and kitchen waste; and sorting recyclable, kitchen, harmful, and other waste) by considering circumstantial constraints (social norms in external factors) and psychological behavioral antecedents (personal norms and group identity in internal factors). Based on pilot survey data from farmers in Shaanxi Province, China, the results of the ordered logit model indicate that social norms and personal norms were the most significant predictors of the level of DWSB, while group identity was found to have no significant influence. Furthermore, the results of the grouping regression analysis showed that personal norms had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between social norms and farmers' DWSB. Therefore, a more positive social atmosphere, better education, and personal environmental moral responsibility for domestic waste sorting should be established to enhance their levels of waste sorting behavior.

Rational Choice or Altruism Factor: Determinants of Residents' Behavior toward Household Waste Separation in Xi'an, China

Understanding why people do or do not perform household waste separation is a vital premise for designing relevant policies to promote waste management. As such, in this paper, an empirical study was carried out to explore the impacts of both rational choice and altruism factors on residents' household waste separation behavior. Through the analysis of the survey sample (n = 1102) from Xi'an, China, using structural equation modeling, the main findings suggested that (i) the rational choice model can better explain such behavior, (ii) the altruism factor cannot directly affect household waste separation behavior, (iii) the altruism factor is highly correlated with the attitude determinant of household waste separation behavior, and (iv) rational choice models incorporating the altruism factor may have better explanatory efficacy. After that, some factors influencing residents' altruism to household waste separation were identified. The main aim of this study was to compare two different tendencies in explaining sustainable behavior and help to find a better framework for behavior analysis.