Socio-Demographic Determinants of Consumer Practices In E-Waste Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68903/iilmr.v01i01.04Keywords:
E-waste management, Consumer behaviour, Socio-demographic factors, Socio-economic status, Awareness, Circular economyAbstract
The growing volume of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) poses significant environmental and public health risks, particularly in countries where informal recycling dominates. Although consumer behaviour is central to improving recovery and recycling, evidence on how socio-demographic and socio-economic factors shape e-waste management (EWM) remains limited at a large, multi-state scale in India. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 5,690 respondents across eight north-western states of India. Data were collected using a structured, theory-based and psychometrically validated questionnaire derived from an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework. Socio-demographic and socio-economic determinants of knowledge, awareness and EWM practices were examined using chi-square tests, ANOVA and multivariate regression. Knowledge, awareness and practices differed significantly across education, occupation, income and socio-economic status (SES), but not by gender or marital status. Younger respondents, graduates and professionals showed higher knowledge of e-waste hazards and policies. While 55.5% of respondents demonstrated high knowledge, awareness levels were uneven: financial benefits of EWM were recognised by 68.3% of respondents, whereas only 58.1% were aware of the technical aspects, such as material recovery. SES emerged as a consistent predictor of responsible practices, showing a positive gradient that plateaued at higher SES levels. The study also revealed marked state-level differences, highlighting disparities in public communication and access to formal recycling infrastructure. This study contributes large-scale, multi-state evidence that socio-demographic and socio-economic inequalities, together with regional disparities, strongly shape consumer engagement in EWM. By documenting the specific population groups and states where gaps are largest, the findings offer a practical basis for targeted awareness efforts, incentive-based interventions and improvements in collection systems. These insights can support policy implementation under India’s E-Waste Rules and advance circular economy objectives under SDG 12.
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