Predictors of waste management behaviours in coastal communities in Indonesia: The role of community attachment and environmental concern

Abstract

The global challenge of marine plastic pollution requires systemic change in our relationship with plastic. The current linear plastic economy must transition to a sustainable circular model, but is hindered by behavioural change difficulties, particularly in coastal regions facing resource limitations and a lack of research attention. This study investigates waste management (WM) behaviours in Java and Bali, Indonesia, through a household survey (N = 506). By examining the roles of community attachment and environmental concern in WM behaviours, we contribute to the theoretical understanding of these concepts within a novel context. Our findings reveal that community attachment and environmental concern predict WM behaviours, yet lead to divergent outcomes. Furthermore, the provision of infrastructure is associated with changes in some, but not all, WM behaviours. These results underscore the importance of considering a variety of waste management behaviours and adopting a balanced approach that integrates both infrastructural and psychological interventions.