Exploration of General Waste Management and Recycling on Passenger Behaviour and Beliefs in the Cruise Context

Abstract

This study empirically explores cruise passengers’ behaviors and beliefs regarding recycling and general waste management. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed, and data were collected from 424 cruise passengers in Hong Kong. The exploratory factor analysis identified three main dimensions of recycling and waste management. Results show that the passengers’ responsibility for recycling is associated with the perceived convenience of recycling and single-use plastic. These passengers’ responsibilities for recycling and waste management are also interrelated, and their environmental beliefs about waste management are associated with the perceived convenience of engaging in eco-friendly and recycling practices during the cruise and with inappropriate recycling and waste disposal habits. Meanwhile, the perceived convenience of single-use plastic is associated with the perceived convenience of recycling. Inappropriate recycling and waste disposal habits negatively affect these passengers’ responsibilities for recycling and waste management and are negatively related to the perceived convenience of recycling and single-use plastic. The implications of these findings on recycling and general waste management in cruise operations are proposed along with some suggestions for general waste management and recycling.