Towards Sustainable WEEE Management:Challenges, Insights and a Strategic Framework

Abstract

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) management presents profound environmental challenges worldwide. In locales like Huila, Colombia, devising effective strategies is paramount for fostering sustainable trajectories. This investigation aims to identify the salient elements essential for developing a proficient approach to WEEE management in this region. Employing a predominantly qualitative mixed-methods approach, the study intertwines inductive, deductive, and abductive rationales, applying an interpretative perspective. Our sample encompassed 72 stakeholders active in WEEE management, extending from urban households to WEEE-focused businesses and environmental entities. Comprehensive questionnaires gathered data on socio-demographics, WEEE awareness, comprehension of relevant regulations, and associated practices. An exhaustive descriptive statistical analysis examined each variable's behavior, supplemented by visual representations and pivotal statistical parameters. These findings were further augmented by a SWOT analysis. Results emphasize the cardinal challenges in sculpting a strategic WEEE management pathway, yielding insights indispensable for policymakers intent on refining WEEE procedures. Moreover, the investigation introduces a methodical framework for secure, effective electronic waste handling, transportation, precious metal extraction, and disposal. Fundamentally, this research enriches the discourse on WEEE management, proffering pragmatic solutions with extensive ramifications. Received: 15 August 2023 / Accepted: 21 October 2023 / Published: 5 November 2023