Consumer Attitudes and Perceptions on Electronic Waste: an Assessment

Pollution,1(1): 31-43, Winter 2015

Consumer attitudes and perceptions on electronic waste: An assessment

Saritha, V.*, Sunil Kumar, K.A. and Srikanth, V.N.

Department of Environmental Studies, GITAM University, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam – 530 045, Andhra Pradesh, India

Received: 27 Aug. 2014 Accepted: 4Oct. 2014

ABSTRACT: The electronics industry is one of fastest growing manufacturing industries in India. However, the increase in the sales of electronic goods and their rapid obsolescence has resulted in the large-scale generation of electronic waste, popularly known as e-waste. E-waste has become a matter of concern due to the presence of toxic and hazardous substances present in electronic goods which, if not properly managed, can have adverse effects on the environment and human health. In India, the e-waste market remains largely unorganized, with companies being neither registered nor authorized and typically operating on an informal basis. In many instances, e-waste is treated as municipal waste, because India does not have dedicated legislation for the management of e-waste. It is therefore necessary to review the public health risks and strategies in a bid to addressthis growing hazard. There is the strong need for adopting sustainability practices in order to tackle the growing threat of e-waste. In the present work, we attempt to identify the various sources and reasons for e-waste generation, in addition to understanding the perception of the public towards e-waste management. This study aims to induce an awareness of sustainability practices and sustainability issues in the management of E-waste, especially waste related to personal computers (PCs) and mobile phones. From the results of the study, we concluded that the majority (90%) of the public is ignorant about e-waste and its issues; hence, there is a strong requirement for spreading awareness about the growing hazard of E-waste.

Key words: Developing countries, Electronic waste, Hazardous substances, Personal computer (PC), Upgrading

INTRODUCTION all types of electrical and electronic Electronics is the world‘s largest and equipment (EEE) that has or could enter fastest growing manufacturing industry. the waste stream. The improper disposal of Development in this area has significantly these items affects human and assisted the human race; however, its environmental health, as many of these mismanagement has led to new problems products contain toxic substances. E-waste of contamination and pollution. The that includes iron, aluminium, gold and technical prowess society has acquired other metals make up over 60% of these during the pastcentury has creatednew products, while plastics account for about challenges in terms ofwastemanagement. 30% and hazardous pollutants comprise The Environmental Protection Agency 2.70% (Kurian Joseph, 2007). (EPA) refers to electronic waste as The growing quantity of e-waste from ―electronic products that are discarded by the electronic industry is starting to reach consumers‖. This definition covers almost disastrous proportions. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation * Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected] 31

Saritha, V.et al. and Development (OECD), any appliance can often be found in circuit boards. Due to fitted with an electric power supply that the presence of these substances, recycling has reached its end-of-life is included in and the disposal of e-waste has developed theWaste Electrical and Electronic into an important issue. Equipment Directive (WEEE) (EU, 2002; The physical composition of e-waste is Sushant et al., 2010). The primary diverse and contains over 1000 different materials found in electric and electronic substances that can be categorized as waste are ferrous material (38%), non- belonging to either organic or inorganic ferrous material (28%), plastic (19%), glass fractions. Heavy metals form a significant (4%) and others, including wood, rubber, part of inorganic fraction, accounting for ceramics, etc. (11%) (Sushant et al., 2011). 20% to 50%. E-waste consists of hazardous The management of electronic waste (or metallic elements like lead, cadmium, E-waste) is one of the most rapidly chromium, mercury, arsenic, selenium and growing areas for curbing pollution precious metals like silver, gold, copper and problems worldwide. New technologies are platinum. An overview indicates that fast superseding millions of analogue manufacturing of mobile phones and appliances, leading to their disposal in personal computers consumes 3% of gold prescribed landfills despite their potentially and silver mined worldwide each year, as adverse impacts on the environment. The well as 13% of palladium and 15% of cobalt. consistent advent of new designs and Both hazardous and precious heavy metals ‗‗smart‘‘ functions and technology during are non-renewable and are therefore finite the past 20 years has led to the rapid resources that will eventually become obsolescence of many electronic items. extremely valuable. Moreover, managing e- The lifespan of many electronic goods has waste is a difficult task due to the various been substantially shortened (less than two challenges it presents including technical, years for computers and cell phones) due to financial, strategic, information failures, etc. advancements in electronics, attractive As such, there is an urgent need for consumer designs and marketing and managing e-waste in a formal, systematic compatibility issues (Peeranart et al., 2013; and eco-friendly manner by way of recycling Denga, 2006; Macauley, 2003). precious metals from waste streams. Consequently, the volume of WEEE In emerging economies like that of grows rapidly every year and is also India, current e-waste management believed to be one of the most critical waste practices are followed in a disorganized disposal issues of the 21st century. To be manner, which may cause deleterious precise, the United Nation University impacts on human health and ecology. It is estimates that 20 to 50 tons of e-waste is thought that if an efficient system for being generated per year worldwide removal/recovery could be proposed and (UNEP, 2005) and suggests the urgent need developed, precious metals could be for developing an estimation technique conserved, which in the authors' opinions (UNEP, 2009). Compared to conventional would be a novel approach toward resource municipal waste, certain components of recovery (Viraja et al., 2012). electronic products contain toxic substances Generally, exposure to the hazardous that can generate threats to the environment components of e-waste is most likely to as well as to human health (Woodell, 2008). arise through inhalation, ingestion and For example, television and computer dermal contact. In addition to direct monitors generally contain hazardous occupational (formal or informal) exposure, materials such as lead, mercury and people can come into contact with e-waste cadmium, while nickel, beryllium, and zinc materials and associated pollutants through

Pollution, 1(1): 31-43, Winter 2015 contact with contaminated soil, dust, air, televisions. When these products are water and through food sources, including placed in landfills or incinerated, they pose meat (Robinson, 2009; ATSDR, 1995; health risks due to the hazardous materials 1998; 1999; 2000; 2002;2004; 2005; 2007; they contain. The improper disposal of 2012). Children, foetuses, pregnant women, electronic products leads to the possibility elderly people, people with disabilities, of damaging the environment. As more e- workers in the informal e-waste recycling waste is placed in landfills, exposure to sector and other vulnerable populations environmental toxins is likely to increase, face additional exposure risks. Children are resulting in elevated risks of cancer and a particularly sensitive group, due to the developmental and neurological disorders presence of additional routes of exposure (Khurrum, 2011). (e.g., breastfeeding and placental exposure), high-risk behaviours (e.g., hand-to-mouth MATERIALS & METHODS activities in early years and high risk- Study area taking behaviours in adolescence) and their Visakhapatnam is the second fastest changing physiology (e.g., high intakes of 'emerging city' in India (Fig. 1). The city is air, water and food, and low rates of toxin plagued by a large variety of pollution types. elimination) (Pronczuk de Garbino, 2004). There is air pollution, the groundwater is The children of e-waste recycling workers polluted and plastic abuse is rampant; more also face take-home contamination from recently, e-waste has seen a significant their parents‘ clothes and skin, and direct increase, too. With over 70 software high-level exposure if recycling is taking companies and numerous schools and place in their homes (Kristen et al., 2013). corporate offices in the city, e-waste has the Most people are unaware of the potential to be the next big form of pollution potential negative impact of the rapidly within the city in the coming years. increasing use of computers, monitors and

Fig. 1. Study area (Source: http://www.veethi.com)

Saritha, V.et al.

Study design methods of e-waste disposal. The study aimed to obtain information V) Consumer behaviour: to comprehend about the knowledge, awareness and the readiness of the consumer disposal methods of e-waste as practiced concerning various disposal options by the urban population of Visakhapatnam. provided by the manufacturer. Each subject participated in a face-to-face Face-to-face interviews were thought to interview. The questionnaire was designed be more reliable for obtaining accurate to obtain information with respect to the information from respondents, as they above-mentioned parameters. hailed from a wide range of backgrounds and had different educational levels. This The structured interview and also helped to ensure that all questions questionnaire were answered and that the answers were During the face-to-face interview, recorded in a consistent manner. Most of questions consisted of five parts: the questions utilized the checklist

I) Demographic profile: information approach in order to reduce ambiguity and included age, gender, marital status, to facilitate quantitative analysis. occupation, income and education. II) Information regarding the use of RESULTS & DISCUSSION electronic devices: to understand the Figure 2 illustrates the demographic profile various types of devices used, period of the respondents. The larger percentage of use, methods of storage, etc. of respondents was male (77.6%). The III) Awareness regarding e-waste: to better majority of respondents belonged to the understand the awareness of e-waste age group of 26 to 35 (48.8%). The among the public. majority of respondents in the age group 26 IV) E-waste disposal practices: included to to 45 were married (67.2%). evaluate individual perceptions and

Fig. 2. Demographic profile of respondents

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Among the respondents, 88.4% had 4 to the respondents. Among them, 90% to 6 persons per family only. The occupational 100% used common electrical goods like trends of the respondents was observed as fans or televisions. Surprisingly, cell follow: 47.2% served in the government phones and earphones also were included sector, while respondents in business made in this list. Among the respondents, 80% to up 22%; 19.2% were students and 7.6% and 90% had VCD/DVD/CD players, washing 4% were housewives and private machines, fluorescent light bulbs and employees, respectively. The majority of Mp3/Mp4 players; 40% to 80% registered respondents earned 10000 to 20000 per ownership of air conditioners, refrigerators, month; 58.8% of them were graduates and computer /laptops, cameras and telephones. only 15.2% were postgraduates. Only 10% to 30% of respondents used Figure 3 depicts information regarding advanced electrical goods like printers, the ownership of various devices among microwaves, etc.

Fig. 3. Devices currently in use

Figure 4 represents the usage patterns of articulated that the primary reason for the above-mentioned devices. The replacing devices was to keep up with the hierarchy of the most frequently used latest technology, technology became devices was television, cell phone, washing obsolete or to upgrade features, whereas machine, VCD player, air conditioner and 14.8% of respondents replaced devices due computer. to technical failures. Only 4% replaced Among the respondents, 81.6% of them devices for eco-friendly reasons (Fig. 5).

Saritha, V.et al.

Fig. 4. Respondents‘ awareness about waste (usage patterns)

Fig. 5. Respondents‘ awareness about waste (attitudes)

Of the respondents, 55.6% replaced them for four to six years. Furthermore, their gadgets within one to two years, 50.4% of respondents sold these devices as 35.2% after three to four years and 0.8% scrap once they stopped using them, 41.2% within five to six years; 84% of exchanged them, 7.2% of respondents kept respondents stored broken, unused devices them at home and only 1.2% gave devices for one to three years, while 16% stored away or donated them (Fig. 6). 36

Pollution, 1(1): 31-43, Winter 2015

Fig. 6. Respondents‘ awareness about waste (details)

Figure 7 expresses the current e-waste replaced depending on attributes such as disposal patterns adopted by respondents. cost, ease of donation, limited choices for Among them, 53.2% of respondents recycled responsible recyclers, data security and with an electronics recycler (specifically, convenience. Among participants, 40.4% commercial outlets), 16.8% sent devices attributed a lack of convenience as one of the away for reuse, while 6.8% disposed of these hurdles for recycling, while 23.6% admitted devices. Furthermore, 70.8% replaced a lack of awareness about e-waste recycling, desktop computers every one to two years 22% highlighted the cost of doing so and and 22.8% did so whenever required, 14% stated that they did not find it secure to irrespective of the age of the device; 53.2% recycle e-waste.

Fig. 7. E-waste disposal practices 37

Saritha, V.et al.

Among the respondents, 88% took into Figure 8 represents the consumer consideration the end of life requirements behaviour of the respondents. Among when purchasing a new device. Flat screen them, 41.2% would consider disposing of monitors, large office printers, DVD old products in an eco-friendly manner, players, CPU‘s, computer mice and other while 94% agreed to return it to the accessories, netbooks, tablet PCs, keyboards manufacturer for free if the latter claimed and television sets were noted as the major to recycle products in an eco-friendly devices regularly being disposed of or manner. Furthermore, 78.8% approved of recycled;60% of respondents owned two paying extra as included in the price of a cell phones. Furthermore, 36% preferred to product as part of the product purchase take their e-waste to a recycling centre, price for recycling. Among the 22.4% to donate it to a local charity and respondents, 41.6% were willing to pay 5% 18.4% offered it to a retailer for sale, with to 10% of the product cost, 24% would pay only 13.6% getting rid of it on events such 1% to 5% of the cost and 18.4% would pay as eDay, etc. more than 10% of the product cost.

Fig. 8. Consumer behaviour

Electronic and electrical equipment environmentally friendly substitutes for cannot be avoided in today‘s world. The hazardous substances can help mitigate same therefore holds true for electronic and these impacts. electrical waste equipment. As long as we The demographic profile of the use electronic devices, minimizing its respondents revealed most of them hailed adverse impacts on environment has to be from social classes less fortunate than managed. Through innovative changes in middle class, yet they nonetheless owned a product design under EPR (Extended number of devices, particularly mobile Producer Responsibility), the use of phones. As stated by Vinod Kumar et al.

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(2011), computers and mobile phones have devices with newer and more advanced different estimated life spans. The average alternatives within a very short span of life span of a computer is three to five three to four years for various reasons such years and in case of mobile phones, this is as the upgrading of features and following only two to three years. Due to innovative the latest trends. The average lifespan of products and offers, the life cycles of electric and electronic equipment is getting products are getting shorter. Attractive shorter, while the amount of related waste market offers push customers into buying is increasing (Saroj Gupta, 2004). E-waste new products rather than upgrading their has become pervasive due to rapidly existing devices. updated technology and changes in Consumers who like to replace their fashion, style and status. computer or mobile phone when they see a It was also noted by participants that new product with improved and innovative they had reserves of stored broken, unused features (known as early adopters of equipment at home. In India, most waste e- technology) contribute to more e-waste items are stored at households, as people generation (Mundada et al., 2004; Cairns, do not know how to discard them. It is 2005; Williams et al., 2008). Indian people estimated that 75% of electronic items are generally use pirated operating systems and stored due to the uncertainty of how to software. A new computer is purchased, manage them correctly. This electronic sometimes not because of improper junk lies unattended in houses, offices and functioning but for upgrading systems and warehouses, usually mixed in with other software (Williams et al., 2008). household waste, and eventually disposed Customers today tend not to upgrade a of at landfills. These actions have computer; instead, they prefer to simply necessitated the need for implementable e- replace it; very few customers like to send waste management measures. Within products away for repair and service. From industries, e-waste management should the study, it is evident that the above start at the point of generation. This can be factors tend to concern younger and done by implementing waste minimization middle-aged generations who like have techniques and through sustainable product their technology constantly upgraded. design (Freeman, 1989). The ownership of devices has increased The majority of respondents articulated tremendously in the past two decades. The that they would exchange their old devices most frequently used gadgets were reported for newer ones every time they wanted to to be televisions, cell phones, computers, upgrade. This was especially true in the VCD/DVD players and washing machines. case of mobile phones. The components of Reasons for this can be found in Sushant et mobile phones and computers are costly, so al. (2010), who state that the problems much so that customers prefer to simply associated with e-waste in India began buy new products; for example, the cost of surfacing after the country's first phase of a battery for mobile phones and laptops, economic liberalization, after 1990. Due to and the cost of print cartridges in case of strong competition in the market printers. Thus, customers do not consider concerning brand, quality, price and buying a component,but simply to replace services offered between various Indian it with a new product (Cairns, 2005; Vinod and foreign companies, the electronic and Kumar et al., 2011). consumables industry in India grew Using the understanding that respondents significantly. were only concerned about updating their The use of electronics has indicated the technology, we wanted to discern the remarkable trend of replacing existing knowledge and awareness of the

Saritha, V.et al. respondents. The reason for 91.6% of weakness, changes heart rate, causes respondents‘ ignorance regarding e-waste paralysis and accumulates in the aquatic was that it was a relatively new type of system. Beryllium inhalation causes waste, albeit increasing in an incremental pneumonia, respiratory inflammation and fashion. For this reason, 72.8% of lung cancer. Cadmium and mercury are respondents simply threw their e-waste away carcinogenic and can causelung damage. It is and 92.2% of them were unaware that they clear therefore that treatment technologies generated e-waste. Problems related to e- need to be developed for cleaning upe-waste waste are therefore likely to become serious from the environment (Sharma et al., 2012). in India in the near future. Whenever a Among the respondents, 34.6% and customer replaces a computer or mobile 34.4% claimed that the responsibility of e- phone, the product may go away from the waste should be taken up by government customer, but it never goes away from the and manufacturers, respectively. In many environment. Regular improvements in this countries, there is no dedicated legislation area should therefore be implemented for dealing with e-waste. At best, the through the research and development of problem of e-waste management is products to enhance their reuse and recycling confused by disparate laws pertaining to the properties. Moreover, there is the need for a environment, water, air, health and safety, framework that can assist in the management municipal waste and hazardous waste. The of e-waste (Vinod Kumar et al., 2011). government is ultimately responsible for Among the respondents, 97.6% were enforcement through mandatory regulations ignorant about the hazardous nature of the e- that serve the purpose of controlling and waste. Furthermore, 96.4% of respondents monitoring, setting goals and establishing were ignorant about the health effects of e- enforcement rules (itunews.itu.int). waste. Nickel (Ni), which is present in e- As quoted by a majority of the waste and enters the environment through the respondents, many devices can be recycled, air, causes skin damage, asthma and lung as most of the components can be damage, and is also a carcinogen. Antimony recovered and reused. Components like (Sb) causes skin irritation, hair loss, lung and CD‘s, DVD‘s, toasters, refrigerators and heart damage and fertility problems. This televisions are rated best for recycling. A element is better absorbed in soil containing study conducted by Guillermo and Zhang steel, magnesium or aluminium. (2012) determined compact disk drives Polybrominateddiphenyl ethers (PBDE) (CDD) to be the most efficient components cause anaemia, damages the skin, liver, from an economic and environmental stomach and thyroid and contaminate water perspective. The methodology used and the food production chains of some indicates that the CDD clearly outranks the foods. Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) can other four PC components in all three cause some mutation and carcinogenic criteria. HDD and FDD also presented effects, and can damage the endocrine good general performance, but the system. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) can preference functions used determined that be passed along the food chain and can they are not as good as for CDD. The study damage the kidneys, the liver and the thyroid. presents the conflict of incomparability Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) damages the between these two components (FDD and ozone layer. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) HDD) in that the criteria weight and the damages animal kidneys and is soluble in actual performance scores showed that no water, while arsenic is a carcinogenic that can clear preference difference could be cause skin and lung cancer. Barium causes elicited for either component according to gastrointestinal disorders and muscle the overall evaluation.

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More than 95% of the respondents with the individual. With a little effort and lacked the personal perception or an Internet connection, the average awareness of e-waste and its related issues. individual can learn where to recycle their Even the compulsory labelling of such electronic products (Saroj Gupta, 2004). products as hazardous was hardly ever observed. The consequence of this is that a CONCLUSION large amount of toxic materials enter the Problems due to e-waste are likely to waste stream with no special precautions become serious in India in the near future. taken to avoid their known adverse effects Whenever a customer replaces a computer on the environment and human health or mobile phone, the replaced product may (Alake and Ighalo, 2012). leave the customer, but it remains within India is currently in a very interesting the environment. There should therefore be position. The immediate need is an urgent regular improvements through research and approach to e-waste hazards through development to enhance the reuse and technical and policy-level interventions, recycling of products. implementation and capacity building, as India is undoubtedly at present being well as increasing public awareness to dominated by the informal sector convert this challenge into an opportunity concerning the management of e-waste. for show the world that India is ready to However, the country has also started deal with future problems, and can set thinking about the sustainable management global credible standards concerning of e-waste. There exists an urgent need for environmental and occupational health the detailed assessment of the current and (Violet, 2008). future scenarios, including quantification, Among the respondents, 80% were characteristics, existing disposal practices ready to accept additional charges on and environmental impacts. products if the producer claims Moreover, there is a need for a responsibility for recycling the product. In framework that can help in the an effort to make users aware of the management of e-waste. A draft has been recycling of e-waste, many electronic prepared for e-waste handling and the rules companies such as Apple, Dell and HP related there to, which is available on the have started various recycling schemes website of the Ministry of Environment (Raymond, 2007). Nokia India has also and Forests of India. The responsibilities of announced its ―recycling campaign‖ for the collection centres, producers, recyclers, Indian region. The programme encourages dismantlers and consumers have been mobile phone users to dispose of their used included in the draft. handsets and accessories, irrespective of The present study showed that e-waste brand, at any of 1300 green recycling bins is going to become a significant challenge at priority dealers and care centres. Nokia for environmentalists and technologists, as also plans to launch an electronic waste its rate of growth is much higher than the management programme (Sushant, 2011). rate at which it is being disposed of, Public awareness of the e-waste recycled or reused. There is an urgent need problem is only the beginning; the public for the improvement of all aspects of e- has to be willing to support companies that waste management, as well as the rules and help to properly dispose of e-waste, even if policies for those who work in e-waste the cost of their products become slightly disposal. Above all, education regarding higher as a result. Consumers hold the this activity as it concerns the environment power, but need to be educated about the and public health should be explained facts and the fact is that recycling starts properly.

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