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Transforming E-Waste into Opportunities: Driving Organizational Actions to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Author

Listed:
  • Rafaela Garbelini Anuardo

    (Production Department, FEG, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Portal das Colinas, Guaratinguetá 12516-410, SP, Brazil)

  • Maximilian Espuny

    (Production Department, FEG, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Portal das Colinas, Guaratinguetá 12516-410, SP, Brazil)

  • Ana Carolina Ferreira Costa

    (Production Department, FEG, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Portal das Colinas, Guaratinguetá 12516-410, SP, Brazil)

  • Ana Lígia Gil Espuny

    (Business School, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul—PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Partenon, Porto Alegre 90619-900, RS, Brazil)

  • Yiğit Kazançoğlu

    (Department of Logistics Management, Faculty of Business, Yasar University, Universite Cad. No.37-39, T-Block, Office No.604 Bornova, Izmir 35100, Turkey)

  • Jayakrishna Kandsamy

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India)

  • Otávio José de Oliveira

    (Production Department, FEG, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Portal das Colinas, Guaratinguetá 12516-410, SP, Brazil)

Abstract

With technological advancements, there has been a significant increase in the generation of electronic waste (e-waste), leading to severe environmental consequences. Inadequate e-waste management poses obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and results in detrimental effects such as pollution, health risks, and resource depletion. Recycling and reusing are vital due to the presence of toxic and valuable elements in e-waste. However, several barriers impede effective management, including limited collection points, insufficient awareness, and inadequate policies. For this reason, this paper aims to propose drivers for developing and improving organizational actions that enhance e-waste management, enabling companies to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Content analysis was employed as the research method to identify booster elements and systematize e-waste management drivers. Thirty-six booster elements related to SDGs 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 17 were identified based on 30 relevant scientific articles from Scopus and 16 sustainability reports from well-ranked companies on the New York Stock Exchange. The systematized drivers encompass recycling and treatment techniques, sustainable manufacturing and consumption, e-waste management technologies, and cooperation networks. The scientific contribution of this work lies in incorporating empirical elements into the literature and enriching the theory of sustainable practices in the electronic equipment industry. In an applied manner, this article contributes to managers who can use the proposed drivers to improve the management of e-waste, thus reducing costs and enhancing the socio-environmental performance of their companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafaela Garbelini Anuardo & Maximilian Espuny & Ana Carolina Ferreira Costa & Ana Lígia Gil Espuny & Yiğit Kazançoğlu & Jayakrishna Kandsamy & Otávio José de Oliveira, 2023. "Transforming E-Waste into Opportunities: Driving Organizational Actions to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14150-:d:1247011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salma Taqi Ghulam & Hatem Abushammala, 2023. "Challenges and Opportunities in the Management of Electronic Waste and Its Impact on Human Health and Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Philippe Mongeon & Adèle Paul-Hus, 2016. "The journal coverage of Web of Science and Scopus: a comparative analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 106(1), pages 213-228, January.
    3. Saidia Ali & Farid Shirazi, 2023. "The Paradigm of Circular Economy and an Effective Electronic Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-11, January.
    4. Parajuly, Keshav & Habib, Komal & Liu, Gang, 2017. "Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Denmark: Flows, quantities and management," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 85-92.
    5. Satu Elo & Maria Kääriäinen & Outi Kanste & Tarja Pölkki & Kati Utriainen & Helvi Kyngäs, 2014. "Qualitative Content Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(1), pages 21582440145, February.
    6. Venkatesha Murthy & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2022. "A Review on Global E-Waste Management: Urban Mining towards a Sustainable Future and Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-18, January.
    7. Raffaele Isernia & Renato Passaro & Ivana Quinto & Antonio Thomas, 2019. "The Reverse Supply Chain of the E-Waste Management Processes in a Circular Economy Framework: Evidence from Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, April.
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    1. Malik, Arsalan Haneef & Rehan, Muhammad & Hussain, Arsalan & Ur-Rehman, Awais & Kashif, Muhammad, 2026. "Balancing innovation and sustainability: The E-waste challenge in achieving SDG 13 across EEA countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).

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