Towards a Sustainable Campus: Study of Pro-Environmental Behavior of Canteen Traders at XYZ Private University

Abstract

Recently, environmental issues on campuses have raised concerns, including low awareness of environmental protection, excessive consumption of energy and water resources, and poor waste management. These issues can lead to environmental pollution and pose risks to human health. Therefore, involving various stakeholders, including faculty canteen traders, is crucial in addressing environmental problems and promoting a sustainable campus. This research aims to understand pro-environmental behavior within the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. Qualitative research methods were employed, including observation and interviews with canteen traders at a private university in Surabaya. Six traders were observed, and two traders and campus management were interviewed as a comparison. The focus was on energy conservation, waste reduction, and recycling. The qualitative exploration revealed that traders exhibited some pro-environmental behaviors, such as reducing electricity usage, avoiding the direct provision of plastic bags, and using cardboard/paper packaging - however, other behaviors like waste sorting and recycling still needed to be established. Thematic analysis identified several reasons for the lack of these behaviors. These included unclear university rules, personal evaluation of the implications and plans for behavior (perspectives and attitudes), the absence of examples and reprimands from authoritative figures (subjective norms), and difficulties in implementing behavior despite the knowledge and available facilities (perceived behavioral control). In order to encourage pro-environmental behavior among the traders, interventions should focus on improving knowledge and internal motivation, regularly enforcing and communicating university regulations, monitoring and imposing consequences for misconduct, and providing adequate facilities.

Keywords: pro-environmental behavior, canteen traders, universities, theory of planned behavior