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Is Voluntary Product Stewardship for E-Waste Working in New Zealand? A Whangarei Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Vicktoria Blake

    (Faculty of Primary Industries, Science and Environment, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand)

  • Trisia Farrelly

    (School of People, Environment, and Planning, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

  • Jonathon Hannon

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

Abstract

New Zealand currently manages its annually-generated 99,000 tonnes of e-waste via voluntary product stewardship schemes. Limited data is available to determine the success of this approach. This lack of data is cited as the logic preventing the declaration of e-waste as a priority product by the Minister for the Environment which would trigger the enforcement of mandatory product stewardship. This case study involved an online survey of 264 Whangarei District householders asking questions about e-waste creation and management, as well as analyses of local services, and local and national policy. It found that only 1.8% of the estimated e-waste created in the district is recycled by municipal services, with the ‘cost to recycle’ and ‘a lack of knowledge’ presenting barriers to engagement in these services. The ‘lack of ability to repair/the cost to repair’ was found to be the most significant driver for e-waste creation. The adoption of mandatory product stewardship for e-waste was recommended to ensure robust and transparent data collection, see recycling services become more accessible, and raise awareness of these services, thus reducing the value-action gap. Mandatory e-waste management would also impact product design to ensure affordable repair-ability, further supporting a circular economy for electronic goods.

Suggested Citation

  • Vicktoria Blake & Trisia Farrelly & Jonathon Hannon, 2019. "Is Voluntary Product Stewardship for E-Waste Working in New Zealand? A Whangarei Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-26, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:11:p:3063-:d:235793
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cucchiella, Federica & D’Adamo, Idiano & Lenny Koh, S.C. & Rosa, Paolo, 2015. "Recycling of WEEEs: An economic assessment of present and future e-waste streams," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 263-272.
    2. Lori M. Hunter & Alison Hatch & Aaron Johnson, 2004. "Cross‐National Gender Variation in Environmental Behaviors," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 85(3), pages 677-694, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Camelia Delcea & Liliana Crăciun & Corina Ioanăș & Gabriella Ferruzzi & Liviu-Adrian Cotfas, 2020. "Determinants of Individuals’ E-Waste Recycling Decision: A Case Study from Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-28, April.
    2. Hilal Shams & Altaf Hossain Molla & Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman & Hawa Hishamuddin & Zambri Harun & Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar, 2023. "Exploring Industry-Specific Research Themes on E-Waste: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Rasim Yilmaz & Cuneyt Koyuncu, 2023. "The Impact of Globalization on the Rate of E-waste Recycling: Evidence From European Countries," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(62), pages 180-180, February.
    4. Iuliana Raluca Gheorghe & Victor Lorin Purcarea & Consuela Madalina Gheorghe, 2023. "Antecedents of Consumer Intentions towards E-waste Recycling. A Perspective on the Toy Industry from Romania," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(62), pages 163-163, February.

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