Waste Management Behavior under Circular Economy Principles: A Comparison between Khao Sam Sip and Nong Wa Subdistricts, Khao Chakan District, Sa Kaeo Province

Abstract

This research article aimed to: (1) examine waste management behaviors based on Circular Economy principles (5Rs); (2) compare waste management behaviors among residents in areas with and without waste collection services; and (3) propose sustainable waste management guidelines consistent with the context of public service readiness in Khao Chakan District, Sa Kaeo Province. Nong Wa Subdistrict was used as the area with waste collection services, while Khao Sam Sip Subdistrict represented the area without such services. A quantitative research approach was employed in this study. The sample consisted of 400 residents selected through simple random sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire with an Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) of 0.96. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics using the t-test. The findings revealed that: (1) the overall waste management behavior based on Circular Economy principles (5Rs) was at a high level across all dimensions (M = 3.86, SD = 0.611); and (2) there was a statistically significant difference in waste management behaviors between the two areas (p < .05), indicating that the type of public service provision influenced residents’ behaviors. Specifically, residents in the area without waste collection services (Khao Sam Sip Subdistrict) demonstrated higher levels of reduce and reuse behaviors, due to the necessity of minimizing waste generation to reduce the burden of self-disposal. In contrast, residents in the area with waste collection services (Nong Wa Subdistrict) showed stronger recycling and recovery behaviors, due to greater convenience and the availability of supporting systems. Furthermore, in areas without waste collection services, self-reliant household-level waste management models should be promoted. In areas with established services, emphasis should be placed on waste separation practices to support recycling and value-added waste processing.