Work

Strategies to improve the management of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment: A case study in Brazil

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • The study offers insights into consumer behavior and e-waste management strategies. • Respondents showed a positive tendency toward recycling and proper e-waste disposal. • Collection point location is a key factor in promoting proper e-waste disposal. • SWOT-TOWS analysis helped identify potential e-waste management strategies. • Strategies for increasing public engagement in e-waste management were suggested. Technological advancements and the growing demand for electronic devices have led to a significant increase in both the production and consumption of these products, consequently generating more waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE or e-waste). Globally, particularly in emerging countries such as Brazil, managing e-waste disposal has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges. Consumers play a pivotal role in this process, as their decisions concerning the purchase, use, and disposal of electronic equipment directly influence the volume and quality of the waste generated. This study aims to develop strategies for enhancing public participation in e-waste management, drawing on interviews conducted with 320 upper-middle-class residents from the Jaqueira neighborhood in Recife (a Brazilian city). The collected data enabled the identification of behavioral beliefs and their respective intensities regarding electronic equipment recycling. The results were categorized into various analyses: respondent characterization, belief analysis, descriptive analysis, and the identification of challenges to consumer integration in e-waste management. Additionally, a SWOT-TOWS analysis was performed to determine management strategies based on the behavior of the respondents. The findings provide a detailed profile of electronic equipment consumers, offering key behavioral insights. These insights can guide the promotion of more responsible and sustainable consumption practices.

Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances

DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100721

Authors: Marcones da Silva Monteiro, José Diego de Oliveira, Manuela Maria da Silva, Thais Tainan Santos Silva, José Francisco de Oliveira Neto, Simone Machado Santos

Institution: Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Language: English

Topic: Recycling and Waste Management Techniques

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Sustainable cities and communities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,400