Internet use and higher farmer participation in domestic waste sorting: micro-survey data from 2126 farming households in rural China

This study investigates the impact of internet use on domestic waste sorting among 2126 farming households in rural China. Using an ordered probability model, the study finds that internet use significantly increases the likelihood of farmers participating in waste sorting, even after robustness tests. Internet use reduces non-participation by 14.9% and increases participation in two, three, and four-category sorting by 3.86%, 5.99%, and 5.04%, respectively. Heterogeneity analysis shows that internet use benefits marginalized groups (women, older individuals, low-income, low-education) by improving their information access and participation in waste sorting.

Fan Chen, Can Zhang, Wenna Wang, Hong Wei