Factors Influencing the Public Accessibility of Environmental Protection Law 2020 Regarding Household Waste Classification: An Exploratory Study in Southern Vietnam

ABSTRACT Managing household solid waste (HSW) remains a significant challenge for developing countries like Vietnam. As a result, government management organizations require coordinated control and management instruments. Many improvements were included in the Environmental Protection Law 2020 (EPL 2020), most notably the law that divides HSW into three categories, including food waste, and solid waste that may be recycled or reused. Public education and dissemination of legal information are vital. However, a trustworthy instrument that precisely assesses and corresponds with the actual circumstances in Vietnam is necessary to accomplish the objectives and be effective. Currently, Vietnam has, for the first time, included the classification of HSW at the source in its national environmental protection law, and this study identifies barriers to its dissemination, aiding policymakers in developing timely and appropriate strategies. In order to determine the elements influencing the EPL 2020's accessibility regarding the categorization and collection of HSW in the research region, a quantitative method is employed in this study with a sample size of 204 survey respondents. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), widely used in social sciences, is applied here to identify key influencing factors. EFA is well‐known in analyzing primary data using SPSS software version 26. In this study, the EFA results have identified three factors, namely (1) institutions for policy implementation, (2) personal benefit influence, and (3) public concern about the EPL 2020, which affects public access to policies and EPL 2020. The research model on policy accessibility and EPL 2020 is theoretically grounded in the study findings. These findings aim to support governers and policy makers in referring to and thinking through the implementation of suggested laws and procedures.