Determining environmental ethics, personal norm, knowledge, and waste separation behaviour among households

Abstract

The behaviour of separation of waste at the source has been identified as one of the key elements towards sustainable waste management which aims to prevent pollution and ultimately preserve the environment. However, the rate of waste separation in Malaysia is still low. Environmental ethics, personal norm and knowledge on waste separation have been identified as among the internal factors influencing household waste separation behaviour. The study employed quantitative research design with online questionnaire as a method of data acquisition while the study population is households in landed properties in the district of Kluang, Johor. Results show that the level of waste separation behaviours, personal norm towards waste separation and knowledge on waste separation are moderate. The study also found that households are holding ecocentric and biocentric environmental ethics orientation, indicating a good sign for pro-environmental support and behaviours through the activation of personal norm. The findings of the study can be used by stakeholders in formulating policies, initiatives, programmes and strategies towards sustainable waste separation among households as part of the whole sustainable waste management system in the country.