Investigation of Consumer Behavior in Disposing of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment—Perceptions and Difficulties

Abstract

Amid the growing generation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), there is a long way to go before ideal recycling rates are achieved. This study investigated the consumer behavior and identified what their perception and knowledge about the correctly disposing and recycling WEEE are. Questionnaires were applied for two samples from the population of Sorocaba (Brazil). Sample A was formed by public aged 17 to 62 years old and Sample B was formed by children from 6 to 15 years old attending elementary and middle school. The samples achieved 389 and 515 responses respectively. It was identified that more than 26% of respondents said that they dispose of WEEE with general waste and more than 60% have some unused or broken equipment stored at home, especially mobile phones. Adults tend to explain this accumulation as a reflection of the lack of collection points and convenience, and children reuse the devices as toys. Thus, this study obtained a broad view on consumer behavior, especially when studying a sample made up of children, an audience that is rarely addressed in the literature, but that has direct impact on the future and that can be more easily instructed to adopt pro-environmental behaviors.