Linking Waste Disposal Practices (WDP) to Carbon Footprint (CF): A Mediation Analysis of Public Environmental Awareness (PEA)
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The increasing environmental challenges associated with improper waste management have intensified global concerns regarding carbon emissions and climate change. This study examines the relationship between Waste Disposal Practices (WDP) and Carbon Footprint (CF), with Public Environmental Awareness (PEA) serving as a mediating variable. Data were collected from households, local residents, and environmentally conscious citizens across various municipalities in Thrissur district, Kerala. A total of 540 valid responses were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings indicate that responsible waste disposal practices significantly reduce carbon footprint by promoting recycling, waste segregation, composting, and sustainable disposal behaviors. The study further reveals that public environmental awareness positively strengthens environmentally responsible practices and mediates the relationship between waste disposal practices and carbon footprint. The research highlights the importance of awareness campaigns, environmental education, and policy-driven waste management initiatives in achieving long-term environmental sustainability and carbon reduction goals.
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