Towards sustainable education: Investigating waste source sorting behavior among students in Vietnam

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing university students' behavior in separating waste at its source in Vietnam, with a particular focus on the integration of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and stimulus–organism–response (SOR) framework, we explore the impact of subjective norms, self-efficacy, environmental awareness, and external factors (incentives and sorting facilities) on waste sorting behavior. Data are collected via an online survey distributed to 1183 students from various Vietnamese universities, with 354 valid responses. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the relationships between these factors. The results reveal that subjective norms significantly enhance self-efficacy, which in turn mediates the effect of norms on waste-sorting intentions. Sorting facilities are found to have the strongest moderating effect on the intention-behavior relationship, followed by incentive measures. These findings emphasize that improving students’ self-efficacy and providing adequate sorting facilities are key strategies for promoting effective waste separation. Practical implications suggest that universities should strengthen waste management programs by incorporating targeted incentives and enhancing sorting infrastructure to foster a culture of sustainability on campus. This study addresses a significant gap in sustainable development research within the Vietnamese context and provides actionable insights for universities to support waste-sorting behavior, contributing to broader sustainability efforts.