Waste management practices and environmental sustainability performance: does institutional pressure matter?

PurposeThis study investigates the effect of waste management practices and institutional pressures on environmental sustainability performance at the household level in Ghana, specifically within the Cape Coast metropolis.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed an explanatory and quantitative research design to analyze data collected from 339 sampled households, of which 242 responses were deemed valid for analysis. Data were processed using SPSS for descriptive statistical analysis and Smart-PLS 4 for structural equation modeling to examine relationships among the study variables.FindingsResults demonstrate that waste management practices significantly enhance environmental sustainability performance. Institutional pressures positively influence waste management practices and environmental sustainability performance. Interestingly, institutional pressure negatively moderates the relationship between waste management practices and environmental sustainability performance.Practical implicationsEnhanced understanding of these dynamics can aid policymakers and waste management institutions in crafting targeted interventions that foster more effective waste management practices at the household level.Social implicationsBy improving waste management practices and responding effectively to institutional pressures, households can significantly contribute to broader environmental sustainability goals, thus supporting sustainable urban development and responsible consumption patterns as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Originality/valueThis research contributes uniquely by articulating the moderating role of institutional pressures in the context of household waste management, a relatively underexplored area within environmental management research.