Waste separation behavior with a new plastic category for the plastic resource circulation: Survey in Kansai, Japan

Japan is a leading country in establishing an efficient waste management system. However, the recycling rate of plastic waste remains low, as different types of plastic are separated into different categories based on local policies in different municipalities. In April 2022, Japan introduced the new Plastic Resource Circulation Act, which requires all plastic waste to be separated and collected in a new category as recyclable resource. Thus, the waste separation criteria received major revision, providing a good opportunity to observe citizens' behavior change. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence citizens' waste separation behavior with the introduction of a new plastic waste category in Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1676 Kansai citizens, extending the theory of planned behavior by including personal norms, plastic sorting knowledge and government policy. The sample population was divided into two groups based on whether the respondent's municipality implements mandatory plastic container and packaging waste separation policies and governance. The results show that people living in municipalities with mandatory separation policies were more likely to participate in plastic waste separation and showed greater consistency between their intentions and actual behavior compared to those living in areas without such policies. Moreover, the influence of knowledge and personal norms on the intention was more significant in the mandatory separation policy group. In both groups, there was a positive relationship between knowledge, personal norms, and people's intention. The findings provide insights for promoting plastic waste separation, recycling, and reducing plastic pollution by improving plastic circulation. [Display omitted] •Further plastic separation on the existing waste sorting system is targeted.•Theory of Planned Behavior is extended by personal norm, knowledge, and policy.•The implementation of plastic separation policies increased separation behavior.•Personal norm and plastic sorting knowledge are the most important factors.•Governance by mandatory policy is suggested to enhance plastic waste recycling.