Integrating Citizens’ Importance-Performance Aspects into Sustainable Plastic Waste Management in Danang, Vietnam

Thi Thanh Thuy Phan, Nguyen Van Viet, Hong Thi Thu Nguyen and Chun-Hung Lee ()
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Thi Thanh Thuy Phan: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, College of Environmental Studies and Oceanography, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
Nguyen Van Viet: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, College of Environmental Studies and Oceanography, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
Hong Thi Thu Nguyen: Faculty of Chemistry, The University of Danang—University of Science and Education, 41 Le Duan Road, Danang 550000, Vietnam
Chun-Hung Lee: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, College of Environmental Studies and Oceanography, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-17

Abstract: Plastic pollution is a matter of deep concern that requires an urgent and international response, involving stakeholders at all levels. The rapid increase of single-use plastic and medical waste, especially in the context of COVID-19, has caused a drastic progression in the plastic pollution crisis on a global scale. To identify an efficient plastic waste management (PWM) system to tackle this major environmental problem, this study adopted importance-performance analysis and used logistic regression to identify key factors affecting citizens’ behavior to participate in PWM strategies in Vietnam. The results indicate that while the importance of all PWM solutions was considered to be high, their performance was rated at a low level, implying a sizable gap between perceived importance and performance of eleven solutions for PWM. The findings also show that solutions such as “offering zero-waste lifestyle seminars to citizens”, “having community engagement”, “using eco-friendly products”, and “imposing a ban on single-use plastics” are useful for the development of an effective environmental policy. Furthermore, it was found that the following characteristics have a significant influence on citizens’ participation in PWM solutions: (1) gender, (2) education level, (3) residential area, (4) employment status, and (5) citizens’ awareness and behavior towards plastic reduction. This study is expected to provide theoretical and empirical evidence for policymakers and authorities who are in charge of promulgating the necessary mechanisms and policies to promote the socialization of PWM.

Keywords: community engagement; citizens’ perceptions; importance-performance analysis; institutional incentives; plastic waste management; willingness to participate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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