Assessing public awareness, attitudes, and behaviors toward domestic solid waste management in mountainous areas of Tuyen Quang province, Vietnam

Abstract

Domestic solid waste (DSW) management in mountainous areas faces significant challenges due to limited infrastructure and low levels of public awareness. This study aims to assess the awareness, attitudes, and behaviors of residents in three mountainous communes of Tuyen Quang province (Nhu Khe, Luong Vuong, and Cong Da) regarding the implementation of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection, particularly provisions on DSW segregation and collection. Using a sociological survey of 660 households, the study analyzes the factors influencing residents' waste management behaviors through a theoretical framework, descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and multivariate regression. The results reveal that while local resident attitudes toward DSW management are generally positive, with 80% expressing agreement with the necessity of proper waste management, but knowledge of local resident remains limited, especially regarding the calculation of service fees under new regulations. Key determinants of behavior include perceived behavioral control, legal knowledge, and social influence. Based on these findings, the study proposes policy recommendations aimed at enhancing communication strategies, improving DSW management infrastructure, and strengthening community participation to increase the effectiveness of DSW management in mountainous regions. Keywords: Domestic solid waste management, public awareness, environmental behavior, mountainous areas, Tuyen Quang, law on environmental protection 2020