What the study found
The study found that express packaging recycling behavior among urban consumers in China is linked to attitude, perceived benefit, and perceived trust. It also found that high recycling behavior can arise from multiple combinations of factors, and that attitude is a necessary prerequisite.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that express packaging recycling is driven by complex interactions among benefits, trust, and attitudes. They suggest that policymakers should use multi-factor policy designs to better promote sustainable consumer behavior.
What the researchers tested
The researchers extended the Theory of Planned Behavior, which is a model used to explain behavior, by adding perceived benefit, perceived trust, and policy communication. They analyzed survey data from 382 urban consumers in China using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), and necessary condition analysis (NCA).
What worked and what didn't
Attitude, perceived benefit, and perceived trust significantly influenced recycling behavior. Subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and policy communication did not show significant net effects. The configurational analysis showed that high recycling behavior emerged from multiple combinations of factors rather than one dominant driver, and NCA identified attitude as a necessary condition.
What to keep in mind
The findings are based on survey data from 382 urban consumers in China, so the scope is limited to that sample. The abstract does not describe other limitations.
Key points
- Attitude, perceived benefit, and perceived trust were significant predictors of recycling behavior.
- Subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and policy communication had no significant net effects.
- High recycling behavior appeared through multiple factor combinations rather than a single main cause.
- Attitude was identified as a necessary prerequisite.
- The study used survey data from 382 urban consumers in China.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Attitude, benefit, and trust predict Chinese express packaging recycling
- Authors:
- Jun Lyu, Bowen Zhan, Bakti Hasan-Basri
- Institutions:
- China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, Northern University of Malaysia, Northern University of Malaysia
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-23
- DOI:
- 10.3390/su18042152
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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