Social attitudes towards electronic waste and the implementation of circular economy principles
PDF

Keywords

circular economy
e-waste
consumer behaviour

How to Cite

Lorek, E., & Lorek, P. (2023). Social attitudes towards electronic waste and the implementation of circular economy principles. Economics and Environment, 83(4), 325–337. https://doi.org/10.34659/eis.2022.83.4.531

Abstract

This article addresses the issue of electro-waste and the role of the consumer of electrical and electronic equipment within the organisation of a circular economy. The aim of the article is (i) to identify the attitudes of the consumers surveyed towards unused electrical and electronic equipment, (ii) to assess the consistency of the attitudes displayed with the principles of the circular economy, and (iii) to identify the most important factors influencing these attitudes. The theoretical part approaches issues such as consumers' subjective perception of electro-waste, the increasing amount of electro-waste globally, and the problems associated with limited recycling opportunities. The conducted study revealed the potential of the surveyed consumers for the organisation of the circular economy in the field of electro-waste management, as well as the risk factors in the form of depositing electro-waste into the municipal waste stream. The analysis also showed a correlation between attitudes towards electro-waste with factors such as age, gender and education. In the concluding part, the most underlying consumer problems related to electro-waste management were systematised; more thorough research was also signalled.

https://doi.org/10.34659/eis.2022.83.4.531
PDF

References

Althaf, S., Babbitt, C., & Chen, R. (2021). The evolution of consumer electronic waste in the United States. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 25(3), 693-706. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13074

Camilleri, M. A. (2020). European environment policy for the circular economy: Implications for business and industry stakeholders. Sustainable Development, 28(6), 1804-1812. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2113

Chakrabarty, A., & Nandi, S. (2021). Electronic waste vulnerability: circular economy as a strategic solution. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 23, 429-443. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-020-01976-y

Corona, B., Shen, L., Reike, D., Carreón, J. R., & Worrel, E. (2019). Towards sustainable development through the circular economy – A review and critical assessment on current circularity metrics. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104498

Cullen, J. (2017). Circular Economy – Theoretical Benchmark or Perpetual Motion Machine? Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 483-486. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12599

den Hollander, M., Bakker, C. A., & Hultink, E. J. (2017). Product design in a Circular Economy. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 517-525. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12610

Directive (EU) 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), Pub. L. No. 32012L0019, 197 OJ L (2012). http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2012/19/oj

ElektroEko. (2022, May 16). Co to są elektrośmieci? https://elektrosmieci.pl/co-to-sa-elektrosmieci

Forti, V., Baldé, C. P., Kuehr, R., & Bel, G. (2020). The Global E-waste Monitor 2020: Quantities, flows and the circular economy potential. United Nations University (UNU)/United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – co-hosted SCYCLE Programme, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) & International Solid Waste Association (ISWA). Bonn/Geneva/Rotterdam. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Environment/Documents/Toolbox/GEM_2020_def.pdf

Goyal, S., Esposito, M., & Kapoor, A. (2018). Circular economy business models in developing economies: Lessons from India on reduce, recycle, and reuse paradigms. Thunderbird International Business Review, 60(5), 729-740. https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.21883

Gradinaru, G., & Maricut, A. C. (2022). From the rebound effect to the perspective of circular economy: a structure changes analysis among EU countries. Economic Computation & Economic Cybernetics Studies & Research, 56(1), 257-272. https://doi.org/10.24818/18423264/56.1.22.16

Hanumante, N., Shastri, Y., & Hoadley, A. (2019). Assessment of circular economy for global sustainability using an integrated model. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104460

Hazen, B., Mollenkopf, D., & Wang, Y. (2017). Remanufacturing for the Circular Economy. An Examination of Consumer Switching Behavior. Business Strategy and the Environment, 26(4), 451-464. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1929

Jørgensen, S., & Pedersen, L. J. T. (2018). The Circular Rather than Linear Economy. In P. Schrivastava & L. Zsolnai (Eds.), RESTART Sustainable Business Model Innovation (pp. 103-120). Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91971-3_8

Jung, Y. S., Sampath, V., Prunicki, M., Aguilera, J., Allen, H., LaBeaud, D., Veidis, E., Barry, M., Erny, B., Patel, L., Akdis, C., Akdis, M., & Nadeau, K. (2022). Characterization and regulation of microplastic pollution for protecting planetary and human health. Environmental Pollution, 315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120442

Korhonen, J., Honkasalo, A., & Seppälä, J. (2018). Circular Economy: The Concept and its Limitations. Ecological Economics, 143, 37-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.06.041

Lam, C., Lim, S. R., & Schoenung, J. M. (2012). Linking Material Flow Analysis with Environmental Impact Potential. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 17(2), 299-309. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-9290.2012.00513.x

Li, Z. (2012). On the Establishment of Ecological Circular Economy Under the Guidance of Sustainable Development Concept. Advanced Materials Research, 524-527, 3647-3650. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.524-527.3647

Moreau, V., Sahakian, M., van Griethuysen, P., & Vuille, F. (2017). Why social and Institutional Dimensions Matter for the Circular Economy. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 497-506. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12598

Pitron, G. (2019). Wojna o metale rzadkie. Warszawa: Kogut.

Potting, J., Hekkert, M., Worell, E., & Hanemaaijer, A. (2017). Circular economy: measuring innovation in the product chain. PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.

Puntillo, P., Gulluscio, C., Huisingh, D., & Veltri, S. (2021). Reevaluating waste as a resource under a circular economy approach from system perspective: Findings from a case study. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(2), 968-984. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2664

Romero-Hernandez, O., & Romero, S. (2018). Maximizing the value of waste: From waste management to the circular economy. Thunderbird International Business Review, 60(5), 754-764. https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.21968

Santato, C., & Alarco, P. J. (2022). The Global Challenge of Electronics: Managing the Present and Preparing the Future. Advanced Materials Technologies, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202101265

Sasikumar, P., & Kannan, G. (2008). Issues in reverse supply chains, part I: end-of-life product recovery and inventory management – an overview. International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 1(3), 154-172. https://doi.org/10.1080/19397030802433860

Shuptar-Poryvaieva, N. Y., Gubanova, E. R., Andryeyeva, N. M., & Shevchenko, T. I. (2020). Examining of portable betteries externalities with focus on consumption and disposal phases. Ekonomia I Środowisko - Economics and Environment, 75(4), 24-37. https://www.ekonomiaisrodowisko.pl/journal/article/view/4

Talens Peiró, L., Ardente, F., & Mathieux, F. (2017). Design for Disassembly Criteria in EU Product Policies for a More Circular Economy. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 731-741. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12608

Tomić, T., & Schneider, D. (2020). Circular economy in waste management – Socio-economic effect of changes in waste management system structure. Journal of Environmental Management, 267, 110564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110564

Woo, S. H., Lee, D. S., & Lim, S. R. (2015). Potential Resource and Toxicity Impacts from Metals in Waste Electronic Devices. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 12(2), 364-370. https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.1710

Xavier, L. H., Giese, E. C., Ribeiro-Duthie, A. C., & Lins, F. A. F. (2021). Sustainability and the circular economy: A theoretical approach focused on e-waste urban mining. Resources Policy, 74, 101467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.101467

Zu, Y. X., Li, Z., Jia, Y., & Jia, S. S. (2012). Study on the Production and Trend of the Electronic Waste in China Based on Grey Prediction Model. Advanced Materials Research, 599, 551-555. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.599.551

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2023 Ekonomia i Środowisko - Economics and Environment

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.