In recent years the world has seen unending economic and technological development which has resulted in the generation of enormous quantities of electronic waste (e-waste). Consequently, e-waste has become both a global and a local challenge due to the huge amounts of e-waste being generated yearly and the existence of both harmful and valuable materials contained in e-waste. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that around 44 million tons of e-waste will move into Australia’s e-waste stream by 2035. As the quantities of e-waste generated in Australia are intensifying, local governments particularly those in the regions are concerned about how to safely dispose of e-waste across Australia and at the same time, recover valuable resources. Although the Australian government is attempting to collect and dispose of e-waste through various policies and schemes, e-waste is still being diverted to landfills. Presently, the amount of e-waste recycled is less than 40% and the rest ends up in landfills. This study investigates the e-waste management practices and consumer disposal behaviour of a local government in Queensland. The study identifies the issues faced by the local government in managing e-waste, explores consumers’ willingness/intensions to participate in e-waste recycling and suggests several strategies and recommendations for improving e-waste management practices. To achieve this goal, “valence theory” (VT) and “norm activation theory” (NAT) is adopted as the theoretical foundation for studying the e-waste management practices and consumer behaviour of a local government in Queensland. This study adopts these theories based on their rational and moral considerations in shaping willingness and intentions to recycle. A quantitative research approach based on an online survey questionnaire is used for collecting the required data. The study will provide insights on the e-waste management practices of the local government; willingness/intensions of consumers to participate in e-waste recycling and identifies areas where improvement is needed. Practically, this study suggests several recommendations for assisting local governments in Australia better manage e-waste to lessen the considerable, environmental and health problems created due to inappropriate recycling and disposal practices in the communities.
Analysis of Electronic Waste Management Practices and Consumers Disposal Behaviour in Queensland Australia: A Regional Council Perspective
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