This research investigates the key determinants shaping the recycling behavior of young adults residing in Sri Lankan tourist regions. The analysis investigates recycling behavior through the combination of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS) to study how environmental sustainability together with visitor satisfaction and sense of duty impact this behavior. The survey with a set format was submitted to 311 respondents from the young adult population then researchers processed the results through structural equation modeling (SEM). Results establish that sense of duty (SD) directly impacts recycling-related attitudes since a strong commitment drives positive environmental conduct. Recycling intentions demonstrate positive relations with all components of perceived behavioral control together with subjective norms and attitudes. Visitor satisfaction fails to affect directly how people control their pro-environmental behaviors and social norms regarding recycling activities. Environmental ethics and social responsibility should be prioritized with a focus on sense of duty education and awareness programs to achieve effective waste management within tourism zones.

JEL Codes: Q53, Z32, D91

Keywords: Sustainable waste management, Recycling, Tourist areas, Young adults, Sense of duty