How to motivate residents’ behavioral intention to engage in household waste sorting? An integrated perspective based on the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior

Waste sorting at the source represents the starting point of waste classification management and directly affects the effectiveness of subsequent classified collection, transportation, and treatment. As the primary actors in household waste sorting, residents play a critical role in the successful implementation of household waste classification management. Therefore, motivating residents’ behavioral intention to engage in household waste sorting is essential for improving the overall effectiveness of waste classification management. From an integrated perspective of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study developed a theoretical model to explain the formation mechanism of residents’ behavioral intention to engage in household waste sorting. Using a random sampling approach, a questionnaire survey was conducted among Chinese residents, yielding 635 valid responses. The results indicated that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of household waste sorting positively influence behavioral intention; attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of household waste sorting significantly and positively predict behavioral intention; attitude of household waste sorting fully mediates the relationship between perceived usefulness and behavioral intention; moreover, both attitude and perceived behavioral control of household waste sorting partially mediate the relationship between perceived ease of use and behavioral intention. These findings provide valuable insights into strategies for motivating residents’ behavioral intention to participate in household waste sorting.