What determines citizens' recycling behavior of express delivery packaging? Empirical evidence from a comprehensive model

The dramatic increase in express delivery packaging poses severe environmental threats, making recycling a top priority. A comprehensive conceptual framework was developed for exploring citizens’ recycling behavior by integrating structuration and social network theories, and the nonlinear effects of determinants were identified. Further, the 1538 micro-data obtained from five eastern Chinese cities are used for descriptive, correlation, and ordinary least squares regression analysis. It is clarified that there are three distinct recycling behavior patterns, the most prevalent of which is collection station recycling behavior (CSRB), followed by mart equipment recycling behavior (SERB), and door-to-door recycling behavior (DTDRB). The empirical results indicate that social sanctions, responsibility attribution, and centrality positively predict recycling behaviors. Place attachment strengthens SERB and DTDRB. Notably, the authority effect exerts inverted U-shaped effects on recycling behaviors, and trust has an inverted U-shaped effect on CSRB. This study reveals the nonlinear effects of variables, and the findings provide implications for recycling practice.