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

Tetiana Shevchenko, Kirsi Laitala and Yuriy Danko
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Tetiana Shevchenko: Scientific Department, Sumy National Agrarian University, 40021 Sumy, Ukraine
Kirsi Laitala: Consumption Research Norway (SIFO), Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-20

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.

Keywords: pro-circular behavior; consumer behavior; reuse; recycling; e-waste; separate collection; motivation; economic incentives; electrical and electronic equipment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2656-:d:229588

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