E-waste management, practices, knowledge, and behaviour: a case study of Stellenbosch University

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Electronics and electrical equipment (EEE) have revolutionised modern life since the early 1990s and have penetrated every aspect of our lives. The rise of disposable income and urbanisation, coupled with advances in technology and shorter product lifespans, have resulted in higher consumption of EEE (Forti et al. 2020). Once these devices reach their end-of-life (EOL), they generate a waste stream called e-waste. Considering its hazardous nature and rapid growth in global quantities, e-waste poses a serious environmental threat worldwide. The global quantity of e-waste in 2019 was 53.6 million metric tons (Mt), equivalent to 350 cruise ships in weight. Global e-waste production is expected to reach 74.7 Mt by 2030, making it the fastest-growing domestic waste stream in the world. If it is not managed and disposed of correctly, e-waste can negatively impact the environment and human health. Consumers of EEE play an important role in reducing the rising global quantities and negative impacts of this waste stream. Only by educating and empowering consumers about e-waste and responsible disposal, can e-waste be effectively managed. Through a case study of Stellenbosch University in South Africa, this study presents a qualitative method for investigating and documenting e-waste management, knowledge, awareness, and practices. Structured interviews and online questionnaires were used to collect data for this study. This study reveals that Stellenbosch University has the potential to generate a large amount of e-waste, generating 6 678 kg in 2019, 2 714 kg in 2020, 4 847 kg in 2021 and 7 599 kg in 2022. Two e-waste management strategies implemented have been identified that focus on recycling, i.e., The Non-Asset Registered E-waste (recycling of e-waste generated by the University community) and The Stellenbosch Asset E-waste (recycling e-waste generated by the University). The results show low e-waste practices which were linked to low awareness of e-waste recycling programmes and facilities on campus. Furthermore, the survey population had a general understanding of what e-waste is and recognised that a global e-waste problem exists, however, they had limited knowledge about the hazardous materials found in e-waste and how this impacts the environment and human health. Mobile phones were the most frequently used electronic devices among the survey population, with an average possession lifespan of 2.3 years, and obsolete hardware and software were the most common reason for replacing them. As a result of a lack of information about e-waste recycling facilities, personal storage was identified as the preferred method for disposing of waste mobile phones (WMP). There was, however, a positive attitude towards e-waste recycling among the survey population as they were very willing to recycle their e-waste on campus if more information was provided. The results reveal that more awareness is needed among the survey population, particularly about hazardous materials found in e-waste and the e-waste recycling programme on campus. Through information and education, Stellenbosch University can contribute to increasing e-waste awareness, which may encourage the University community to recycle their e-waste more.

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Elektronika en elektriese toerusting (EET) het die moderne lewe sedert die vroeë 1990's gerevolusioneer en het elke aspek van ons lewens binnegedring. Die toename van besteebare inkomste en verstedeliking, tesame met vooruitgang in tegnologie en korter produklewensduur, het gelei tot hoër verbruik van EET (Forti et al. 2020). Sodra hierdie toestelle hul lewenseinde (EOL) bereik, genereer hulle 'n afvalstroom genaamd e-afval. Met inagneming van die gevaarlike aard daarvan en vinnige groei in globale hoeveelhede, hou e-afval 'n ernstige omgewingsbedreiging wêreldwyd in. Die wêreldwye hoeveelheid e-afval in 2019 was 53,6 miljoen metrieke ton (Mt), gelykstaande aan 350 vaartuie in gewig. Wêreldwye e-afvalproduksie sal na verwagting teen 2030 74,7 Mt bereik, wat dit die vinnigste groeiende huishoudelike afvalstroom ter wêreld maak. Indien dit nie reg bestuur en weggedoen word nie, kan e-afval die omgewing en menslike gesondheid negatief beïnvloed. Verbruikers van EET speel 'n belangrike rol in die vermindering van die stygende globale hoeveelhede en negatiewe impak van hierdie afvalstroom. Slegs deur verbruikers op te voed en te bemagtig oor e-afval en verantwoordelike wegdoening, kan e-afval doeltreffend bestuur word. Hierdie studie bied 'n kwalitatiewe metode om e-afvalbestuur, kennis, bewustheid en praktyke te ondersoek en te dokumenteer deur gebruik te maak van 'n gevallestudie van die Universiteit Stellenbosch in Suid-Afrika. Gestruktureerde onderhoude en aanlynvraelyste is gebruik om data vir hierdie studie in te samel. Hierdie studie dui aan dat die Universiteit Stellenbosch die potensiaal het om 'n groot hoeveelheid e-afval te genereer aangesien 6 678 kg in 2019, 2 714 kg in 2020, 4 847 kg in 2021 en 7 599 kg in 2022 genereer is. Twee geïmplementeerde e-afvalbestuurstrategieë is geïdentifiseer wat fokus op herwinning, dit wil sê, Die Nie-Bate- Geregistreerde E-afval (herwinning van e-afval wat deur die Universiteitsgemeenskap gegenereer word) en Die Stellenbosch-Bate-e-afval (herwinning van e-afval wat deur die Universiteit gegenereer word). Die resultate toon lae e-afval praktyke wat gekoppel is aan lae bewustheid van e-afval herwinningsprogramme en fasiliteite op kampus. Verder het die opnamebevolkinge 'n algemene begrip gehad van wat e-afval is en erken dat 'n wêreldwye e-afvalprobleem bestaan, maar hulle het beperkte kennis gehad oor die gevaarlike materiale wat in e-afval gevind word en hoe dit die omgewing en menslike gesondheid beïnvloed. Selfone was die mees gebruikte elektroniese toestelle onder die opnamebevolking, met 'n gemiddelde besitleeftyd van 2,3 jaar, en verouderde hardeware en sagteware was die algemeenste rede vir die vervanging daarvan. As gevolg van 'n gebrek aan inligting oor e-afval-herwinningsfasiliteite, is persoonlike berging geïdentifiseer as die voorkeurmetode vir die wegdoen van afvalselfone (WMP). Daar was egter 'n positiewe houding oor e-afval-herwinning onder die opnamebevolking aangesien hulle baie gewillig was om hul e-afval op kampus te herwin indien meer inligting verskaf word. Die resultate toon dat meer bewustheid onder die opnamebevolking nodig is, veral oor gevaarlike materiale wat in e-afval gevind word en die e-afval-herwinningsprogram op kampus. Deur inligting en opvoeding kan die Universiteit Stellenbosch bydra tot die verhoging van e-afval-bewustheid, wat die Universiteitsgemeenskap kan aanmoedig om meer e-afval te herwin.

Masters