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Household recycling behaviour and attitudes towards the disposal of small electrical and electronic equipment

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  • Darby, Lauren
  • Obara, Louise

Abstract

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is recognised as the fastest growing waste stream in the European Union (EU), with estimates of up to 20kg per person per annum. A wide variety of WEEE is discarded by consumers, often in different ways depending on size with small items (e.g. toasters) being easier to dispose of than larger ones (e.g. washing machines). Currently, small WEEE is not treated as a priority waste stream in the UK as in order to meet targets under the WEEE Directive22Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Published in OJ L 37/24, 13.2.2003. Brussels: Commission of the European Communities. (CEC, 2003c) it makes more sense to focus on larger items for which collection, reuse and recycling systems already exist, but small items need to be tackled for a number of reasons, including the long term strategic development of infrastructure. In light of this, the paper will assess consumer attitudes towards the disposal of small WEEE, and identify key problems raised by the implementation of the WEEE Directive in relation to these small product groups. The findings from a large scale postal questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews conducted in Cardiff, Wales will be used, and key literature and research carried out to date on the disposal of WEEE, and household attitudes to waste and recycling will be assessed. It will also look at how the implementation of the WEEE Directive ‘fits in’ with the current transition in the UK towards more sustainable waste management practices at the household level, and then explore the most effective ways of engaging householders in the recycling of small WEEE. Key recommendations will then be outlined concerning the future strategic development and practical implementation of the WEEE Directive in relation to consumer involvement and small product types.

Suggested Citation

  • Darby, Lauren & Obara, Louise, 2005. "Household recycling behaviour and attitudes towards the disposal of small electrical and electronic equipment," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 17-35.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:44:y:2005:i:1:p:17-35
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2004.09.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Andiç, Esen & Yurt, Öznur & Baltacıoğlu, Tunçdan, 2012. "Green supply chains: Efforts and potential applications for the Turkish market," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 50-68.
    2. Manomaivibool, Panate & Vassanadumrongdee, Sujitra, 2012. "Buying back household waste electrical and electronic equipment: Assessing Thailand's proposed policy in light of past disposal behavior and future preferences," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 117-125.
    3. Ylä-Mella, Jenni & Poikela, Kari & Lehtinen, Ulla & Keiski, Riitta L. & Pongrácz, Eva, 2014. "Implementation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive in Finland: Evaluation of the collection network and challenges of the effective WEEE management," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 38-46.
    4. Ben Bridgens & Kersty Hobson & Debra Lilley & Jacquetta Lee & Janet L. Scott & Garrath T. Wilson, 2019. "Closing the Loop on E‐waste: A Multidisciplinary Perspective," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(1), pages 169-181, February.
    5. Phillips, Paul S. & Tudor, Terry & Bird, Helen & Bates, Margaret, 2011. "A critical review of a key Waste Strategy Initiative in England: Zero Waste Places Projects 2008–2009," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(3), pages 335-343.
    6. Thavalingam, Vyshnavi & Karunasena, Gayani, 2016. "Mobile phone waste management in developing countries: A case of Sri Lanka," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 34-43.
    7. 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.
    8. Pérez-Belis, V. & Bovea, M.D. & Gómez, A., 2013. "Waste electric and electronic toys: Management practices and characterisation," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1-12.
    9. Ashish Dwivedi & Dindayal Agrawal & Ajay Jha & Massimo Gastaldi & Sanjoy Kumar Paul & Idiano D’Adamo, 2021. "Addressing the Challenges to Sustainable Initiatives in Value Chain Flexibility: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 22(2), pages 179-197, December.
    10. Saphores, Jean-Daniel M. & Ogunseitan, Oladele A. & Shapiro, Andrew A., 2012. "Willingness to engage in a pro-environmental behavior: An analysis of e-waste recycling based on a national survey of U.S. households," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 49-63.
    11. Nnorom, I.C. & Osibanjo, O., 2008. "Overview of electronic waste (e-waste) management practices and legislations, and their poor applications in the developing countries," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(6), pages 843-858.
    12. Ardente, Fulvio & Calero Pastor, Maria & Mathieux, Fabrice & Talens Peiró, Laura, 2015. "Analysis of end-of-life treatments of commercial refrigerating appliances: Bridging product and waste policies," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 42-52.
    13. Baxter, John & Gram-Hanssen, Irmelin, 2016. "Environmental message framing: Enhancing consumer recycling of mobile phones," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 96-101.
    14. Nassar, Nedal T., 2017. "Shifts and trends in the global anthropogenic stocks and flows of tantalum," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 233-250.
    15. Borthakur, Anwesha & Govind, Madhav, 2017. "Emerging trends in consumers’ E-waste disposal behaviour and awareness: A worldwide overview with special focus on India," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 117(PB), pages 102-113.
    16. Leigh, Nancey Green & Realff, Matthew J. & Ai, Ning & French, Steven P. & Ross, Catherine L. & Bras, Bert, 2007. "Modeling obsolete computer stock under regional data constraints: An Atlanta case study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 847-869.
    17. Caroline M. Y. Law & Ernest K. S. Lee & K. L. Au, 2022. "Hong Kong Citizens’ Socio-Demographic Dynamics of Urban Yard Waste Facilities Siting and Legislation Preferences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, May.
    18. Gimhan Jayasiri & Sunil Herat & Prasad Kaparaju, 2023. "Management of Small WEEE: Future Directions for Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-22, September.
    19. Vladimir Udalov & Paul J. J. Welfens, 2021. "Digital and competing information sources: Impact on environmental concern and prospects for international policy cooperation," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 631-660, October.
    20. Seyed Hamed Ghanadpour & Sajjad Shokouhyar & Mohadeseh Pourabbasi, 2023. "Effective end‑of‑life (EOL) products management in mobile phone industry with using Twitter data analysis perspective," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(10), pages 11337-11366, October.

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