Understanding Consumer E-Waste Recycling Behavior: Introducing a New Economic Incentive to Increase the Collection Rates

Abstract

Consumer electronics are made of a wide range of materials, including precious metals and critical minerals with limited global reserves. Ensuring the recycling of these materials is essential for future use, especially since many renewable energy solutions are based on them. In addition, improper end-of-life treatments of these products cause harm to the environment and human health. This study explores the incentives that have been used to increase consumer collection rates for end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (EoL EEE). Based on extensive global literature reviews, we propose an alternative to existing consumer incentives. The research suggests that implementing an economic incentive based on the electronic bonus card system (EBCS) has several benefits compared to existing incentives. It compensates the consumers for the transaction costs of proper collection and satisfies the consumer perception of EoL EEE as having a residual value. However, application of the EBCS motivation technology will require the cooperation of various stakeholders, including electronics producers and national and international authorities.

Determinants of Individuals’ E-Waste Recycling Decision: A Case Study from Romania

“…Considering a broad range of papers, Shevchenko et al [11] have analyzed consumers' recycling behavior determinants by considering 27 papers written on different continents (Europe, America, Asia, and Africa). Among the most listed determinant, one can highlight the awareness and knowledge level, followed by convenience and economic incentives.…”

“…Among the most listed determinant, one can highlight the awareness and knowledge level, followed by convenience and economic incentives. Other determinants considered in the selected studies are: gender, current habits, legislative norms and trustworthiness, mentality and attitude, income, age, and educational level [11]. Piligrimiene et al [67] have divided the factors influencing the consumer engagement into two main categories: internal factors (environmental attitude, perceived responsibility, perceived behavioral efficiency) and external factors (conditions for sustainable conditions, social environment, and promotion of sustainable conditions).…”

“…The environmental and health impacts of the e-waste have been largely discussed in the research literature attached to this field [7][8][9][10]. Also, Shevchenko et al [11] underlined that more than 1000 different substances are included in the e-waste category, many of them toxic to both human health and environment, while 70% of the cadmium and mercury present in the USA's landfills are from e-waste.…”

Circular Economy and E-Waste: An Opportunity from RFID TAGs

“…If the customer does not send back the product, now considered as e-waste, there is no possibility to have an efficient recycling system. Therefore, the citizens' education in the matter of e-waste treatment is essential [50,51].…”

“…Moreover, the consumer, in this sense, represents an important piece for the circular economy, in order to increase the number of raw, recovered materials [50][51][52][53][54][55]. Table 7 is related to the materials that compose an RFID TAG, highlighting which of these materials, according to the Institut für Aufbereitung und Recycling RWTH Aachen University (I.A.R.)…”