Exploring public attitudes and altruistic intentions toward waste pickers as indicators of pro-environmental waste separation behavior

Abstract

Despite being a critical component of the context surrounding recycling systems in many countries, the influence of waste picker presence on individual pro-environmental waste separation behavior has been mostly overlooked. Arguing that this influence depends on individuals’ attitudes toward waste pickers and intentions to help them, we explore these two constructs through qualitative and quantitative methods using a three-phase scale development process. We identify two dimensions of public attitudes: “Adaptation to Society” and “Contribution to Society,” alongside a unidimensional structure for intentions to help waste pickers. As expected, we find that public attitudes and intentions to help are significantly associated with waste separation behavior. We also reveal socio-demographic factors, such as political views and socio-economic status, that significantly relate to these attitudes and intentions. This study lays the groundwork for understanding how waste pickers, as a crucial contextual element, may shape pro-environmental waste separation behavior, while offering guidance to policymakers in designing more effective recycling programs.