The inability to effectively manage waste has evolved into one of the most significant challenges faced in oil palm plantations, and this failure has had an impact on the operations within the plantation. This study examines how attitudes (ATT), subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioural control (PBC) affect both behavioural intention (BI) and sustainable waste management behaviour (SWMB) in the palm oil mills of Sabah, Malaysia. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) serves as the primary theory in this research, which uses a conceptual framework. Distributed questionnaires to the top management of 133 oil palm mills were used to gather the data, and then they were processed using Smart-PLS V4. This research found out that SN and PBC have an influence on individuals’ BI and SWMB adaptations in Sabah’s oil palm mills. The SN was shown to have the strongest association between the SWMB and BI. However, attitudes resulted in no impact on either the intention to engage in sustainable waste management behaviour or on the actions themselves. Ultimately, the findings of this study will give a framework for the governance of palm oil waste in Malaysia by contributing to the development of a legislative and regulatory framework in this area that is more effective.

Purpose: This study will examine how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control (PBC) affect sustainable waste management behaviour (SWMB) in Sabah, Malaysia's palm oil mills. Theoretical framework: This study has adopted the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) that serves as the primary theory in this research, which utilized a conceptual framework. Design/ methodology/approach: This study employed a probability sampling where a series of questionnaires has been distributed to members of the upper management of 133 oil palm mills in Sabah were used to gather the data, which was then processed using Smart-PLS V4. Findings: According to the findings of this research, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control are important factors that contribute to SWMB adaptation in oil palm mills. The most significant association was found to be between subjective norms and SWMB. On the other hand, attitudes have been reported to have no substantial influence on environmentally responsible waste management behaviours. Research, Practical & Social Implications: To put it more succinctly, this study will give a framework for the regulation of palm oil waste in Malaysia through the establishment of a more effective legal and regulatory environment in this area.