Transforming E-Waste into Opportunities: Driving Organizational Actions to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Rafaela Garbelini Anuardo, Maximilian Espuny, Ana Carolina Ferreira Costa, Ana Lígia Gil Espuny, Yiğit Kazançoğlu, Jayakrishna Kandsamy and Otávio José de Oliveira ()
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Rafaela Garbelini Anuardo: Production Department, FEG, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Portal das Colinas, Guaratinguetá 12516-410, SP, Brazil
Maximilian Espuny: Production Department, FEG, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Portal das Colinas, Guaratinguetá 12516-410, SP, Brazil
Ana Carolina Ferreira Costa: Production Department, FEG, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Portal das Colinas, Guaratinguetá 12516-410, SP, Brazil
Ana Lígia Gil Espuny: Business School, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul—PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Partenon, Porto Alegre 90619-900, RS, Brazil
Yiğit Kazançoğlu: Department of Logistics Management, Faculty of Business, Yasar University, Universite Cad. No.37-39, T-Block, Office No.604 Bornova, Izmir 35100, Turkey
Jayakrishna Kandsamy: School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
Otávio José de Oliveira: Production Department, FEG, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Portal das Colinas, Guaratinguetá 12516-410, SP, Brazil

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-21

Abstract: With technological advancements, there has been a significant increase in the generation of electronic waste (e-waste), leading to severe environmental consequences. Inadequate e-waste management poses obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and results in detrimental effects such as pollution, health risks, and resource depletion. Recycling and reusing are vital due to the presence of toxic and valuable elements in e-waste. However, several barriers impede effective management, including limited collection points, insufficient awareness, and inadequate policies. For this reason, this paper aims to propose drivers for developing and improving organizational actions that enhance e-waste management, enabling companies to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Content analysis was employed as the research method to identify booster elements and systematize e-waste management drivers. Thirty-six booster elements related to SDGs 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 17 were identified based on 30 relevant scientific articles from Scopus and 16 sustainability reports from well-ranked companies on the New York Stock Exchange. The systematized drivers encompass recycling and treatment techniques, sustainable manufacturing and consumption, e-waste management technologies, and cooperation networks. The scientific contribution of this work lies in incorporating empirical elements into the literature and enriching the theory of sustainable practices in the electronic equipment industry. In an applied manner, this article contributes to managers who can use the proposed drivers to improve the management of e-waste, thus reducing costs and enhancing the socio-environmental performance of their companies.

Keywords: e-waste management; e-waste; electrical and electronic equipment waste; sustainable developed goals; waste management; municipal solid waste management; content analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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