Individual preference framework or group preference framework? Which will regulate the impact path of product facilities on residents’ waste-sorting behavior better

Abstract

To effectively deal with the waste management problems faced by cities, it is of great significance to promote the sorting and recycling of municipal solid waste. Given the correlation between individual behavior and psychological preferences and external situations, this study explored the mechanism of individual preference framework and group preference framework in the impact path of product facilities on residents’ waste-sorting behavior. Based on a questionnaire survey (N = 1505), combined with correlation analysis, difference analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, sensitivity analysis, and other methods, the study found that differences in residents’ age, education background, and monthly income lead to differences in residents’ sorting behaviors, and individuals of young age and low monthly income have higher sorting behaviors than others. Interestingly, highly educated individuals did not show high sorting behavior. Both individual preference and group preference frameworks play a regulating role in the influence path of product facilities on waste-sorting behavior, but a group preference framework (including family preference, organizational preference and social preference) plays the more significant regulating role. Additionally, social preference variables are the most prominent regulatory factors and have a greater “amplifier” effect in the impact of product facilities on waste-sorting behavior. Based on these findings, this study identifies the corresponding policy implications.