Investigating the determinants of recycling behaviour among secondary school students in Penang
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Date
2012
Authors
Nurzairin, Zahari
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Abstract
In Malaysia, environmental education was introduced to the school education system
in 1986 and recycling program was initiated as early as 1993. Although the environmental
education and recycling programmes conducted had raised the environmental awareness of
students but they are not successful in changing action and behaviour patterns of students
toward sustainable practice including recycling. This study aims to investigate the
determinants of recycling behaviour among secondary school students in Penang. The Theory
of Planned Behaviour (TPB) serves as the basis theoretical framework in this study.
According to the theory, there are three factors that influence recycling behaviour namely
attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control. This study has incorporated
additional variables to the theoretical framework which are situational factors, consequences
of recycling and monetary incentive. The schools selected for this study were involved with
‘Enhancing Sustainable Living Within USM and Its Neighbouring Communities’ project
organized by Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS) Universiti Sains Malaysia. The
survey was conducted on 107 respondents of Form Two, Form Three, Form Four and Form
Five students from SMK Bukit Jambul and SMK Datuk Hj. Mohd Nor Ahmad. The research
instrument used was questionnaire, measured using 5-point Likert scale. Based on the Factor
Analysis, each variable of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and
situational factors was divided into two groups. Research findings showed that consequences
of recycling, situational factors-1 and perceived behavioural control-2 had significant impact
on recycling behaviour among the secondary school students. However, attitude-1, attitude-2,
subjective norm-1, subjective norm-2, perceived behavioural control-1, situational factors-2
and monetary incentive were not significant reasons for recycling. In conclusion, the study
has enhanced the understanding of the determinants of recycling behaviour and could be an
informative source for schools, CGSS and government in educating and encouraging positive
recycling behaviour.
Description
Master
Keywords
Business administration , Recycling behaviour , School students