Household Behavioral Compliance in Waste Management using the extended Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

Despite the expansion of waste management infrastructure and regulations, behavioral compliance with proper waste management practices remains inconsistent particularly in developing-country contexts. This study investigates the factors of household compliance with waste management practices by extending the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to incorporate motivational and deterrence-related mechanisms. A quantitative research design was employed using survey data collected from household respondents and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS4. The measurement and structural models were evaluated to assess construct validity, reliability, and the significance of hypothesized relationships. The results of the study indicate that motivation is the strongest predictor of behavioral compliance, while perception of the waste management system also exerts a significant positive influence. Penalty awareness does not directly affect compliance but significantly enhances motivation, which suggest an indirect deterrence mechanism. In contrast, attitude toward waste management practices does not demonstrate a significant effect on compliance behavior. Furthermore, the study contributes to literature by empirically validating an extended TPB framework in a developing-country setting like the Philippines and demonstrating the importance of integrating penalty and motivational constructs in explaining behavioral compliance. The policy implications of this study emphasize the need for behavior-centered governance strategies that would complement infrastructure investments through visible enforcement, motivational interventions, and improved public perception of waste management systems.