Using choice architecture to exploit a university Distinct Urban Mine

Global E-waste management: Can WEEE make a difference? A review of e-waste trends, legislation, contemporary issues and future challenges

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) comprises a globally important waste stream due to the scarcity and value of the materials that it contains; annual generation of WEEE is increasing by 3-5% per annum. The effective management of WEEE will contribute critically to progress towards (1) realisation of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, (2) a circular economy, and (3) resource efficiency. This comprehensive review paper provides a critical and contemporary examination of the current global situation of WEEE management and discusses opportunities for enhancement. Trends in WEEE generation, WEEE-related policies and legislation are exemplified in detail. Four typical future WEEE management scenarios are identified, classified and outlined. The European Community is at the forefront of WEEE management, largely due to the WEEE Directive (Directive 2012/19/EU) which sets high collection and recycling targets for Member States. WEEE generation rates are increasing in Africa though collection and recycling rates are low. WEEE-related legislation coverage is increasing in Asia (notably China and India) and in Latin America. This review highlights emerging concerns, including: stockpiling of WEEE devices; reuse standards; device obsolescence; the Internet of Things, the potential for collecting space e-debris, and emerging trends in electrical and electronic consumer goods. Key areas of concern in regard to WEEE management are identified: the partial provision of formal systems for WEEE collection and treatment at global scale; further escalation of global WEEE generation (increased ownership, and acceleration of obsolescence and redundancy); and absence of regulation and its enforcement. Measures to improve WEEE management at global scale are recommended: incorporation of circular economy principles in EEE design and production, and WEEE management, including urban mining; extension of WEEE legislation and regulation, and improved enforcement thereof; harmonisation of key terms and definitions to permit consistency and meaning in WEEE management; and improvements to regulation and recognition of the informal WEEE management sector.

A Systematic Literature Review of Concepts and Factors Related to Pro-Environmental Consumer Behaviour in Relation to Waste Management Through an Interdisciplinary Approach

Although there has been a steady increase in the number of studies on consumer behaviour in relation to sustainable development, there is limited focus on the product disposal phase. This systematic literature review intends to: (1) clarify how concepts related to pro-environmental consumer behaviour are understood and analysed in the academic literature on waste management; (2) discover any interplay between pro-environmental consumer behaviour and generic consumer behaviour, and the conditions and factors that favour it. A typical systematic literature review methodology was applied to the papers available on Web of Science, Science Direct and EBSCO (Elton Bryson Stephens Company) host between 1975 and 2019, leading to the selection of 699 final papers. The findings reveal that: (1) Although scholars tend to create a variety of pro-environmental consumer behaviour models depending on their specific field of inquiry, all approaches can be traced back to a limited number of reference theories; (2) The overall level of interplay between pro-environmental consumer behaviour and generic consumer behaviour is limited, nevertheless a favourable context or a supportive institutional-legal framework can significantly influence it; (3) A plethora of conditions and factors favour this type of interplay, involving social psychology, laws, economics, institutions and more; (4) Several critical issues appear in the analysed papers, especially some scholars’ assumptions to be able to identify all key factors. It follows the need for a more interdisciplinary approach, a deeper analysis of the effectiveness of the intervention measures at the governmental and institutional level, and a clear classification of factors and conditions (as proposed by this review).

Investigating the reasons for storage of WEEE by residents - A potential for removal from households

Some categories of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) escape legal methods of disposal. The waste stream intended for recycling is sometimes disrupted because of the stockpiling of end of life (EOL) equipment in households. In some cases this equipment may be non-functional or broken but it is kept by the individuals. It is usually equipment of small dimensions that is involved in these instances. The main purpose of this study is to identify the reasons that individuals stockpile EOL equipment. A behavioural model of WEEE disposal by household individuals is proposed and tested with a survey. Results from questionnaires show the differences in behaviour for individual categories of WEEE included in the survey conducted in Poland. The results show the significance of education, age, gender and type of residence on behavioural patterns relating to disposal of waste equipment. The most likely to be stockpiled are computer accessories and other information technology equipment, comprising above 60% of responses, and mobile phones, being above 80% of responses. The most frequent reason for stockpiling is intended possible use of the equipment in the future. The results of this research can be used in campaigns aimed at increasing household awareness against stockpiling.