Recycling Behavior Among University Students: A Theory of Planned Behaviour Perspective

Recycling is an essential strategy for promoting environmental sustainability; however, participation among university students in Malaysia remains inconsistent despite ongoing national initiatives promoting the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle). This study examines recycling behaviour among students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Negeri Sembilan using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Specifically, it investigates the relationships between attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and recycling behaviour. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 300 undergraduate students using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and Pearson correlation in SPSS. The findings revealed that students' recycling behaviour was generally low to moderate and that all three TPB constructs were positively and significantly associated with recycling behaviour. Among the TPB constructs, subjective norms exhibited the strongest positive correlation (r = .730), followed by perceived behavioural control (r = .715) and attitudes (r = .674). These findings suggest that social influence plays a particularly important role in shaping students' recycling behaviour. The study further indicates that promoting sustainable recycling practices requires not only environmental awareness but also supportive social environments and accessible recycling infrastructure. The findings contribute to the application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour in the Malaysian higher education context and provide practical insights for university administrators and policymakers seeking to strengthen campus sustainability initiatives through environmental education, improved recycling facilities, and peer-led programmes.