Influence of social capital on rural household garbage sorting and recycling behavior: The moderating effect of class identity

Abstract

Based on the literature review, this paper analyzes how social capital and class identity influence peasants' behavior in household garbage sorting and recycling. We carried out field study in Shaanxi Province, China and collected 686 valid questionnaires as basic data for this study. The empirical results of Logit regression model indicate that social network, social prestige and social engagement are all positively correlated with household garbage sorting and recycling behavior of peasants, and class identity is also positively correlated with household garbage sorting and recycling behavior of peasants. The results also show that smaller families are more likely to carry out garbage sorting and recycling. In addition, we also found that class identity moderates the relationship between social trust and household garbage sorting and recycling behavior of peasants. Finally, the theoretical and practical significance, limitations of the study, and future directions are discussed.

Keywords: Class identity; Houhold garbage sorting and recycling (HGSR); Shaanxi Province; Social capital.