Exploring Pupils’ Knowledge and Awareness of E-Waste Recycling in Greece

Abstract

To promote environmental sustainability by means of e-waste recycling, it is necessary to raise environmental awareness among young adults. This awareness should aim to represent ‘the new generation’ that contributes considerably to electronic equipment consumption growth. This paper describes the two stages process that we followed to raise awareness and to explore pupils’ knowledge and attitudes related to e-waste management and recycling in Greece. We report the original outcomes exported from a secondary education group of pupils who participated in a project about e-waste recycling and sustainability in the first stage and filled out a questionnaire in the second stage. We analyze their responses in order to elicit prior knowledge on e-waste and their - after the first stage - perceptions, sustainability awareness and intention to recycle their e-waste. The results indicate that education for e-waste recycling awareness is critical in achieving environmental-related skills, behaviour and attitudes consistent with sustainable development and the protection of the planet. In addition, many pupils have the intention and want to contribute to e-waste recycling as they understand its purpose and the subsequent environmental benefits.