Factors Affecting Householders’ Acceptance to Adopt Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - 3Rs Program in Domestic Waste Management in Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Abstract

Reduce, reuse and recycle (3Rs) is one of the elements contributing to the success of launching the integrated solid waste management recommended by the United Nations Environment Program. A survey of 360 urban and suburban household respondents was conducted in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam to understand how domestic solid waste managed at household level, to experience respondents’ knowledge, awareness and their acceptance participating 3Rs program if it is introduced in the Mekong Delta. Results show that 78% respondents sold recyclable waste and listed activities meaning reducing, reusing and recycling solid domestic waste. More than 70% respondents supported this program when it is launched. The results of the logit model reveal the significant difference in factors affecting urban and suburban respondents’ acceptance this program. Age, gender and educational attainment of respondents, household income, respondents’ knowledge on reduce, reuse and recycle their solid domestic waste and community participation are factors affecting household acceptance involving in 3Rs. They also propose how to organize successful 3Rs program, namely the collaboration between household and local community in organizing this program, upgrading households’ awareness on environmental protection and the support in propaganda of local authorities and social media.