The impact of peer effects on farmers’ pesticide packaging waste recycling behavior: Empirical evidence from China

Abstract

Developing effective recycling mechanisms and behavioral intervention strategies for pesticide packaging waste (PPW) is a critical global challenge. Based on data from the China Rural Revitalization Survey (CRRS), this study investigates the influence of peer effects on farmers' pesticide packaging waste recycling behavior and its underlying mechanisms from a peer-effect perspective. The results indicate that peer effects significantly promote farmers' recycling behavior, and this finding remains robust after addressing endogeneity issues. This positive effect is particularly strong among higher-income households, non-cooperative members, villages with better transportation, and non-central regions. Mechanism analysis reveals that risk perception mediates the relationship between peer effects and recycling behavior. This study contributes to the literature by providing a novel behavioral perspective on farmers’ environmental decision-making. The findings offer theoretical foundations for policymakers to design targeted interventions, ultimately improving pesticide packaging waste recycling rates and advancing agricultural sustainability.