Influence of environmental cognition and environmental values on the garbage segregation behavior of college students in Chinese universities: a case study in Zhejiang province

To reveal the influence of environmental values and environmental cognition on college students’ garbage segregation behavior, then, to put forward targeted policy suggestions to promote development of garbage segregation work. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at six universities. Stratified random cluster sampling method were used to recruit college students. All students, on campus, from the selected class were invited to participation. Questionnaires consist of environmental cognition, environmental values, garbage segregation knowledge, and garbage segregation behavior. General descriptive statistical analysis, Chi-square test and Logistics regression analysis were used for data analysis. In total, 3874 students completed the valid questionnaire. There are 1819 male and 2055 female students, with an average age of 20 ± 1 years. 56.94% students classify and dispose of recyclable waste, kitchen waste, and toxic waste, while 507 students (13.09%) have not conducted any garbage segregation. Multivariate regression analysis showed that gender (OR = 0.79, p = 0.001), region, universities (OR = 1.32, p < 0.001), family location (OR = 0.86, p = 0.042), environmental awareness (OR = 0.79, p < 0.001), garbage segregation knowledge (OR = 0.45, p < 0.001), and self-interested value (OR = 0.84, p = 0.001) were associated with college students’ garbage segregation behavior. College students’ garbage segregation behavior is not high, in Zhejiang. Gender, region, university, family location, garbage segregation knowledge, and self-interested value affect their garbage segregation behavior.