Recycling Motivations and Barriers in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Public participation in recycling domestic waste is still
very low in Malaysia. Only 10.5% of solid waste was recycled up to
now which is far below than of in developed countries. Therefore,
understanding public motivations towards recycling domestic waste
are important to improve current recycling rate. Thus, this study
attempts to identify what are the possible motivations and hindrances
for the public to recycle. Open-ended questions format were
administered to 484 people in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Two
specific questions we asked to explore their general determinants and
barriers in practicing recycling: “What motivates you to recycle?”
and “What are the barriers you encountered in doing recycling
activities?” Thematic was conducted on the open-ended questions in
which themes were created with the raw comments. It was found that
the underlying recycling motivations are (i) awareness’ towards the
environment; (ii) benefits to the society and individual; and (iii)
social influence. Non participations are influence by (i) attitudes; (ii)
commitment; (iii) facilities; (iv) knowledge; (v) inconvenience; and
(vi) enforcement.
[1] V. Braun, and V. Clarke “Using thematic analysis in psychology.”
Qualitative Research in Psychology, vol. 3, no.2, pp. 77-101, 2006.
[2] Govt to gradually introduce mandatory waste separation from Sept 2015
(2014, November 15). Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/11/15/waste-sortingmandatory-
sept-2015/
[3] O. Abdelnaser, A. Mahmood, and A. Read “A study of the motivation
factors and de-motivations factors influencing the participation of people
of Pulau Pinang in recycling of solid wastes.” The Journal of Solid
Waste Technology and Management, vol. 37, no 2, May 2011, pp. 91-
101.
[4] O. Abdelnaser, A.K. Sarsour, and A.H.K. Pakir “An Investigation Into
The Factors Influencing The Participation Of Households In Recycling
Of Solid Waste In Palestine.” International Journal of Health
Economics, no.2, 2012, pp. 4-19.
[5] M. Tonglet, P.S. Phillips, and A.D. Read “Using the Theory of Planned
Behaviour to investigate the determinants of recycling behaviour: a case
study from Brixworth, UK.” Resources, Conservation and Recycling,
vol.41. no.3, June 2004, pp.191-214.
[6] R.D. Young “Exploring the difference between recyclers and nonrecyclers:
the role of information.” Journal of Environmental Systems,
vol. 8, no.4, 1989, pp. 341-351.
[7] J. Hornik, J. Cherian, M. Michelle, and C. Narayana, C, “Determinants
of recycling behaviour: A synthesis of research results.” Journal of
Socio-Economiy, Spring 1995, vol. 4, no.1, pp. 105-127.
[8] G. Cecere, S. Mancinelli, and M. Mazzanti, “Waste prevention and
social preferences: the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.”
Ecological Economics, vol. 107, Nov. 2014, pp.163-176.
[9] D. Smeesters, L. Warlop, G. Cornelissen, and P. V. Abeele, “Consumer
motivation to recycle when recycling is mandatory: two explanatory
studies.” Journal of Economy and Management, vol.48, no. 3, 2003, pp.
451–468.
[10] R. DeYoung, and S. Kaplan, “Conservation behavior and the structure of
satisfactions.” Journal of Environmental Systems, vol.15, no.3, Jan.
1985, pp.233-242.
[11] S. Oskamp, M.J. Harrington, T.C. Edwards, T.C., D.L Sherwood, S.M.
Okuda, and D.C. Swanson, “Factors influencing household recycling
behaviour.” Environment and Behaviour, vol. 23, no.4, July 1991, pp.
494 - 519.
[12] J. Boldero, “The prediction of household recycling of newspapers; The
role of attitudes, intentions and situational factors.” Journal of Applied
Social Psychology, vol. 25, no.5, March 1995, pp. 440-462.
[13] J. Davies, G.R. Foxall, and J. Pallister, “Beyond the intention-behavior
mythology: An integrated model of recycling.” Marketing Theory, vol. 2
no. 1, March 2002, pp. 29-113.
[14] Tan Cheng Li. (12 April 2005). Trying to get Malaysians to recycle. The
Star Online.
http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=%2F2005%2F4%2F12%2Ffeatu
res%2F10479400&sec=features
[15] C.M. Yiing, and A.M. Latifah, “Overview of household solid waste
recycling policy status and challenges in Malaysia.” Resources,
Conservation and Recycling, vol. 82, Jan. 2014, pp. 50– 61. [16] A. Omran, A. Mahmood, H. Abdul Aziz, and G.M. Robinson,
“Investigating Households Attitude Toward Recycling of Solid Waste in
Malaysia: A Case Study.” International Journal of Environmental
Research,vol. 3, no. 2, Spring 2009, pp. 275-288.
[17] I.S. Zen, Z.Z. Noor, and R.O. Yusuf, “The Profiles of household solid
waste recyclers and non-recyclers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.” Habitat
International, vol. 42, April 2014, pp.1-7.
[18] Municipal Waste Management Report. Status Quo and issues in
southeast and East Asian Countries. 2010. Retrieved from
http://www.environmenthealth.asia/userfiles/file/
Municipal%20Waste%20Report.pdf
[19] S.N.D. Mahmud SND, K. Osman, “The determinants of recycling
intention behavior among the Malaysian school students: an application
of theory of planned behavior.” Procedia Social and Behavior Sciences,
vol. 9, 2010, pp. 119–24.
[20] A.M. Jasmine, and A.H., Sharifah, “Factors predicting recycling
behaviour among Malaysian.” Southeast Asia Psychology, vol. 1, 2012,
pp. 68-80.
[21] P. Jayasubramanian, S.M. Meenakshi, and M. Divya, “Perception of
households towards waste management and its recycling in
Coimbatore.” International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and
Development, vol. 2, no. 1, 2015, pp. 510-515.
[22] J.R. Hopper, and J.M. Nielsen, “Recycling as altruistic behavior:
Normative and behavioral strategies to expand participation in a
community recycling program”, Environment and Behavior, vol. 23, no.
1, March 1991, pp. 195-221.
[23] P.O. Valle, E. Reis, and E. Rebelo, “Behavioral determinants of
household recycling participation: The Portuguese case.” Environment
and Behavior, vol. 36, no. 4, July 2004, pp. 505-540.
[24] A. Omran, and A.O. Gebril, “Study of household attitude toward
recycling of solid waste: A case study.” Acta Technical Corviniencis,
IV. http://acta.fih.upt.ro/pdf/2011-1/ACTA-2011-1-12.pdf.
[25] S.A. Latif, Y.H. Bidin, and Z. Awang, “Towards the realization of Green
cities: The moderating role of the residents’ education level.” Procedia -
Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 85, Sept. 2013, pp. 646 – 652.
[26] S. Siwakoti, “Knowledge, attitides, and practices of women and men
towards recycling in North St. James Town, Toronto.” St. James Town
Initiatives. Wesleslley Institute, 2009, pp 1-20.
[27] M. Banga, “Household knowledge, attitudes and practices in solid Waste
segregation and recycling: The case of urban Kampala.” Zambia Social
Science Journal, vol. 2, no. 1, May 2011, pp. 27-39.
[28] J. Vining, N. Linn, and R.J. Burdge, “Why recycle? A comparison of
recycling motivations in four communities.” Environmental
Management, vol. 16, no.6, 1992, pp. 785-797.
[29] O. Abdelnaser, and A.D. Read, “Waste not, want not. A study of
household attitude towards recycling of solid wastes.” Environment
Engineering and Management Journal, vol.7, no.1, Jan/Feb 2008, pp. 1-
8.
[30] C. Thomas, “Public understanding and its effect on recycling
performance in Hampshire and Milton Keynes.” Resources,
Conservation and Recycling, vol. 32, no. 3-4, July 2001, pp. 259–274.
[31] L. Darby and L. Obara, “Household recycling behaviour and attitudes
towards the disposal of small electrical and electronic equipment.”
Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 44, no.1, April 2005, pp.
17-35.
[32] Zero Waste Singapore, “Singapore Waste Statistics 2012”. 2013
Available from: http://www.zerowastesg.com/tag/recycling-rate/
(01.04.2013).
[1] V. Braun, and V. Clarke “Using thematic analysis in psychology.”
Qualitative Research in Psychology, vol. 3, no.2, pp. 77-101, 2006.
[2] Govt to gradually introduce mandatory waste separation from Sept 2015
(2014, November 15). Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/11/15/waste-sortingmandatory-
sept-2015/
[3] O. Abdelnaser, A. Mahmood, and A. Read “A study of the motivation
factors and de-motivations factors influencing the participation of people
of Pulau Pinang in recycling of solid wastes.” The Journal of Solid
Waste Technology and Management, vol. 37, no 2, May 2011, pp. 91-
101.
[4] O. Abdelnaser, A.K. Sarsour, and A.H.K. Pakir “An Investigation Into
The Factors Influencing The Participation Of Households In Recycling
Of Solid Waste In Palestine.” International Journal of Health
Economics, no.2, 2012, pp. 4-19.
[5] M. Tonglet, P.S. Phillips, and A.D. Read “Using the Theory of Planned
Behaviour to investigate the determinants of recycling behaviour: a case
study from Brixworth, UK.” Resources, Conservation and Recycling,
vol.41. no.3, June 2004, pp.191-214.
[6] R.D. Young “Exploring the difference between recyclers and nonrecyclers:
the role of information.” Journal of Environmental Systems,
vol. 8, no.4, 1989, pp. 341-351.
[7] J. Hornik, J. Cherian, M. Michelle, and C. Narayana, C, “Determinants
of recycling behaviour: A synthesis of research results.” Journal of
Socio-Economiy, Spring 1995, vol. 4, no.1, pp. 105-127.
[8] G. Cecere, S. Mancinelli, and M. Mazzanti, “Waste prevention and
social preferences: the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.”
Ecological Economics, vol. 107, Nov. 2014, pp.163-176.
[9] D. Smeesters, L. Warlop, G. Cornelissen, and P. V. Abeele, “Consumer
motivation to recycle when recycling is mandatory: two explanatory
studies.” Journal of Economy and Management, vol.48, no. 3, 2003, pp.
451–468.
[10] R. DeYoung, and S. Kaplan, “Conservation behavior and the structure of
satisfactions.” Journal of Environmental Systems, vol.15, no.3, Jan.
1985, pp.233-242.
[11] S. Oskamp, M.J. Harrington, T.C. Edwards, T.C., D.L Sherwood, S.M.
Okuda, and D.C. Swanson, “Factors influencing household recycling
behaviour.” Environment and Behaviour, vol. 23, no.4, July 1991, pp.
494 - 519.
[12] J. Boldero, “The prediction of household recycling of newspapers; The
role of attitudes, intentions and situational factors.” Journal of Applied
Social Psychology, vol. 25, no.5, March 1995, pp. 440-462.
[13] J. Davies, G.R. Foxall, and J. Pallister, “Beyond the intention-behavior
mythology: An integrated model of recycling.” Marketing Theory, vol. 2
no. 1, March 2002, pp. 29-113.
[14] Tan Cheng Li. (12 April 2005). Trying to get Malaysians to recycle. The
Star Online.
http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=%2F2005%2F4%2F12%2Ffeatu
res%2F10479400&sec=features
[15] C.M. Yiing, and A.M. Latifah, “Overview of household solid waste
recycling policy status and challenges in Malaysia.” Resources,
Conservation and Recycling, vol. 82, Jan. 2014, pp. 50– 61. [16] A. Omran, A. Mahmood, H. Abdul Aziz, and G.M. Robinson,
“Investigating Households Attitude Toward Recycling of Solid Waste in
Malaysia: A Case Study.” International Journal of Environmental
Research,vol. 3, no. 2, Spring 2009, pp. 275-288.
[17] I.S. Zen, Z.Z. Noor, and R.O. Yusuf, “The Profiles of household solid
waste recyclers and non-recyclers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.” Habitat
International, vol. 42, April 2014, pp.1-7.
[18] Municipal Waste Management Report. Status Quo and issues in
southeast and East Asian Countries. 2010. Retrieved from
http://www.environmenthealth.asia/userfiles/file/
Municipal%20Waste%20Report.pdf
[19] S.N.D. Mahmud SND, K. Osman, “The determinants of recycling
intention behavior among the Malaysian school students: an application
of theory of planned behavior.” Procedia Social and Behavior Sciences,
vol. 9, 2010, pp. 119–24.
[20] A.M. Jasmine, and A.H., Sharifah, “Factors predicting recycling
behaviour among Malaysian.” Southeast Asia Psychology, vol. 1, 2012,
pp. 68-80.
[21] P. Jayasubramanian, S.M. Meenakshi, and M. Divya, “Perception of
households towards waste management and its recycling in
Coimbatore.” International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and
Development, vol. 2, no. 1, 2015, pp. 510-515.
[22] J.R. Hopper, and J.M. Nielsen, “Recycling as altruistic behavior:
Normative and behavioral strategies to expand participation in a
community recycling program”, Environment and Behavior, vol. 23, no.
1, March 1991, pp. 195-221.
[23] P.O. Valle, E. Reis, and E. Rebelo, “Behavioral determinants of
household recycling participation: The Portuguese case.” Environment
and Behavior, vol. 36, no. 4, July 2004, pp. 505-540.
[24] A. Omran, and A.O. Gebril, “Study of household attitude toward
recycling of solid waste: A case study.” Acta Technical Corviniencis,
IV. http://acta.fih.upt.ro/pdf/2011-1/ACTA-2011-1-12.pdf.
[25] S.A. Latif, Y.H. Bidin, and Z. Awang, “Towards the realization of Green
cities: The moderating role of the residents’ education level.” Procedia -
Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 85, Sept. 2013, pp. 646 – 652.
[26] S. Siwakoti, “Knowledge, attitides, and practices of women and men
towards recycling in North St. James Town, Toronto.” St. James Town
Initiatives. Wesleslley Institute, 2009, pp 1-20.
[27] M. Banga, “Household knowledge, attitudes and practices in solid Waste
segregation and recycling: The case of urban Kampala.” Zambia Social
Science Journal, vol. 2, no. 1, May 2011, pp. 27-39.
[28] J. Vining, N. Linn, and R.J. Burdge, “Why recycle? A comparison of
recycling motivations in four communities.” Environmental
Management, vol. 16, no.6, 1992, pp. 785-797.
[29] O. Abdelnaser, and A.D. Read, “Waste not, want not. A study of
household attitude towards recycling of solid wastes.” Environment
Engineering and Management Journal, vol.7, no.1, Jan/Feb 2008, pp. 1-
8.
[30] C. Thomas, “Public understanding and its effect on recycling
performance in Hampshire and Milton Keynes.” Resources,
Conservation and Recycling, vol. 32, no. 3-4, July 2001, pp. 259–274.
[31] L. Darby and L. Obara, “Household recycling behaviour and attitudes
towards the disposal of small electrical and electronic equipment.”
Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 44, no.1, April 2005, pp.
17-35.
[32] Zero Waste Singapore, “Singapore Waste Statistics 2012”. 2013
Available from: http://www.zerowastesg.com/tag/recycling-rate/
(01.04.2013).
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:71188", author = "Jasmine Adela Mutang and Rosnah Ismail and Chua Bee Seok and Ferlis Bahari and Lailawati Madlan and Walton Wider and Rickless Das", title = "Recycling Motivations and Barriers in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia", abstract = "Public participation in recycling domestic waste is still
very low in Malaysia. Only 10.5% of solid waste was recycled up to
now which is far below than of in developed countries. Therefore,
understanding public motivations towards recycling domestic waste
are important to improve current recycling rate. Thus, this study
attempts to identify what are the possible motivations and hindrances
for the public to recycle. Open-ended questions format were
administered to 484 people in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Two
specific questions we asked to explore their general determinants and
barriers in practicing recycling: “What motivates you to recycle?”
and “What are the barriers you encountered in doing recycling
activities?” Thematic was conducted on the open-ended questions in
which themes were created with the raw comments. It was found that
the underlying recycling motivations are (i) awareness’ towards the
environment; (ii) benefits to the society and individual; and (iii)
social influence. Non participations are influence by (i) attitudes; (ii)
commitment; (iii) facilities; (iv) knowledge; (v) inconvenience; and
(vi) enforcement.
", keywords = "Recycling motivation, recycling barrier, sustainable,
household waste.", volume = "9", number = "8", pages = "2911-5", }
