Towards a framework for understanding recycling behavior in higher education institutions

Objectives. This paper aims to provide a systematic literature review about recycling behaviors in higher education institutions to gather up and synthetize the extant knowledge on this topic into a comprehensive framework. More specifically, this study carries out a basic understanding of the research topic and identifies the factors affecting recycling intentions/behaviors in higher education institutions. Methodology. A systematic literature review of existing research is conducted. A total of 64 journal articles published between 1995 and 2019 are analyzed in five steps: obtaining basic understanding, coding, categorization, comparison, and further analysis. Findings. This study identifies environmental concern, attitude towards recycling, social norms, university environmental policy, and availability of recycling facilities provided at higher education institutions as the factors affecting recycling intentions/behaviors in higher education institutions. Theoretical and practical implications. Scholars can use this paper as reference to systematize knowledge about recycling behavior in higher education context and further advance knowledge on this topic by identifying specific research areas that can be theoretically and empirically investigated. University managers can use the to use the factors affecting recycling intentions/behaviors emerged by this study as a basis for designing behavioral intervention programs in their higher education institutions. Originality of the study. No systematic literature review about the recycling behaviors in higher education setting has previously been undertaken.