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Environmental Education, Knowledge, and High School Students’ Intention toward Separation of Solid Waste on Campus

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  • Chuanhui Liao

    (School of Economics and Management, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, Sichuan, China)

  • Hui Li

    (School of Economics and Management, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, Sichuan, China)

Abstract

To achieve substantial and sustainable levels of separation of municipal solid waste (MSW), it is essential to engage young people as they are important drivers of change and will have a major influence on the future of the world. This study aimed to understand Chinese high school students’ intention toward the separation of solid waste on campus (SSWC). The study has used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as its theoretical framework, and further incorporates two additional constructs (environmental education and environmental knowledge) to explain the separation of solid waste (SSW) behavior of 562 high school students. The results indicate that environmental education is essential to ensure that students have required knowledge and positive attitudes toward SSWC. Knowledge was the best predictor of high school students’ separation behavior. Moreover, a lack of subjective norm from the important people could prevent students from participating in this process, regardless of their positive attitudes. The implications for policy and scope for further research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Chuanhui Liao & Hui Li, 2019. "Environmental Education, Knowledge, and High School Students’ Intention toward Separation of Solid Waste on Campus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:9:p:1659-:d:230644
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Yue Ma & Abdullah Al Mamun & Mohd Helmi Ali & Mohammad Enamul Hoque & Zhai Lili, 2023. "Modeling the intention and adoption of food waste prevention practices among Chinese households," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
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    10. Mengge Hao & Dongyong Zhang & Stephen Morse, 2020. "Waste Separation Behaviour of College Students under a Mandatory Policy in China: A Case Study of Zhengzhou City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-20, November.

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