Assessing Students’ Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Behavior in Putrajaya Malaysia

Nurul Ashikin Izhar; Norjan Yusof; Haraguchi Akira; Azlan Kamari

doi:10.47405/mjssh.v7i9.1716

Nurul Ashikin Izhar Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4418-4230
Norjan Yusof Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2482-8617
Haraguchi Akira Faculty of Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu, Hibikino 1-1, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu 808-0135, Japan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5010-521X
Azlan Kamari Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3167-0619

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i9.1716

Keywords: municipal solid waste, recycling, behaviour, Theory of Planned Behaviour, secondary school

Abstract

It is necessary to instill concern about the environment, particularly the management of solid waste among youngsters as habits are easily inculcated at a young age. This study assesses municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling behavior among students in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential analyses. There is a moderate positive correlation between the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Other Determinant Factor (ODF) with students’ recycling behavior, r=.638. The findings indicate that attitude and subjective norms of the TPB influenced student recycling behavior. In addition, awareness, recycling practices, and situational factors of the ODF influenced students’ recycling behavior. In conclusion, formal education and outsource programs could educate students concerning environmental issues.

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Author Biographies

Nurul Ashikin Izhar, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia.

Nurul Ashikin Izhar, the primary author is a PhD student (at the current year) who has interest in Biology Education, Educational Technology, UX Research, eResearch Tools and Environment. She holds a degree in Plant Biology, master’s in Biology Education, and currently doing research in Educational Technology.

Norjan Yusof, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia.

Norjan Yusof, the corresponding author, is an Associate Professor at Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. Her research focuses on municipal solid waste management and environmental biotechnology, notably biomass-to-value-added-product conversion, microalgae biofuel, and biological nitrogen removal from wastewater.

Haraguchi Akira, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu, Hibikino 1-1, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu 808-0135, Japan.

Akira Haraguchi, the co-author, is a Professor of environmental biology at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu. He focuses on the evaluation of soil-plant interactions in terrestrial and wetland ecosystems, as well as the restoration of degraded ecosystems. His scientific interests also include the eco-pysiological investigation of aquatic plants and their role in environmental protection.

Azlan Kamari, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia.

Azlan Kamari, the co-author, is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. His area of interest is analytical chemistry, specifically remediation of contaminated water and soil utilising waste-based material, phytoextraction from contaminated water and soil, and the development of agrochemical formulations using nanomaterials.

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