Application of the RANAS model of behavior change for source separation of domestic solid wastes

The lack of people's involvement in recycling and separating household waste is a major factor contributing to the ongoing rise in waste production globally. This study aimed to identify the key psychological and social factors that influence Waste Separation Behaviors (WSB) among Iranian households. The RANAS (Risks, Attitudes, Norms, Abilities, and Self-regulation) approach was utilized for this purpose. In Kermanshah, a city in western Iran, a total of 1504 households were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Out of these, 1374 households agreed to take part. To gather data, a written questionnaire was used to assess demographic characteristics, factors of the RANAS model, and domestic solid WSB at the source. The mean age of the participant was 40.74 [SD: 9.51] years. Gender (women) (Beta = 0.136), educational level (Beta = 0.100), family economic status (Beta = 0.142), housewife (Beta = 0.150), attitude (Beta = 0.324), Perceived Behavior Control (PBC) (Beta = 0.103), and commitment (Beta = 0.193) had significant effects on WSB at the source among the Iranian households. Collectively, the variables accounted for 34 % of the variation in WSB at the source, F = 31.520, P < 0.001. Our findings indicate that the level of WSB at the source was low in western Iran. These results serve as a warning to environmental policy makers and health planners in Iran, highlighting the need for the development and implementation of educational planning. These findings also emphasize the importance of educational programs that focus on increasing attitude, commitment, and PBC. Development of recycling and separating household waste promotion campaigns focusing on disadvantaged households could have an important role in increasing recycling and separating household waste.