Solid waste management and behavior in hospitality and tourism: A review

The rapid growth of global economies and urbanization, combined with behavioral factors, has led to an exponential increase in waste generation. This poses serious health risks and environmental challenges. Although general pro-environmental behavior and attitudes are well-studied in tourism and hospitality, less is known about the subject of solid waste management in particular. This paper critically reviews 226 studies which specifically focus on human behavior pertaining to solid waste management in the tourism and hospitality industries. Among the findings discussed are the four primary thematic clusters forming the basis of the field, identified through bibliometric and network analyses. The theoretical frameworks mentioned in the reviewed literature are largely limited to psychological theories, and many studies do not posit a strong theory around solid waste management behaviors. The review also found that food waste is the most frequently studied solid waste type compared to other waste types (e.g., plastic, paper, etc.) in hospitality and tourism scholarship. This review emphasizes the necessity of adopting broader approaches to understanding solid waste management behaviors in the hospitality and tourism sectors by considering different waste types, technological advancements, educational programs, and policies, and extending social and technology-related behavior theories to improve solid waste management efforts within the industry.