Scholarly record
E-WASTE MANAGEMENT IN KOCHI, INDIA: BEHAVIORAL DRIVERS AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY IMPLICATIONS
Abstract
This article identified the issue of electronic waste (e-waste) management in Kochi, India, amongst the country's rapid technological growth and escalating electronic consumption. It highlights the severe environmental and health risks of improper e-waste disposal, particularly in the informal recycling sector, which dominates India's recycling landscape. The article emphasises the need for a transformative shift from the existing cradle-to-grave (C2G) system to a Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) model for circular e-waste management, encouraging a sustainable approach that minimises environmental harm and maximises resource efficiency. A review of the literature reveals key challenges, including limited infrastructure, reliance on informal recycling networks, and gaps in enforcing the E-Waste Management Rules 2022, which stress Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). While environmental awareness influences recycling intentions, barriers like a deficiency of infrastructure persist. Employing a mixed-methods research design combines semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and questionnaires grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) ,the Norm Activation Model (NAM) and the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) Theory. This approach assesses attitudes, subjective norms, and behavioral control related to e-waste recycling. The article uses multiple regression analysis and identifies seven significant predictors of recycling behavior, emphasizing the influence of knowledge and awareness, Government Policies and Regulations (PR), and Technological Change (TC). The findings highlight several practical recommendations to enhance e-waste management in Kochi, India. Central to these is the transition to a circular model by adopting the Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) framework, which emphasizes creating closed-loop recycling cycles to maximize resource efficiency and minimize environmental harm. Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate consumers about the environmental impacts of improper e-waste disposal, fostering more responsible recycling behaviors. Strengthening government rules and regulations, particularly addressing gaps in implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) , is critical to ensuring compliance and effectiveness. Promoting technological advancements can significantly improve the efficiency of recycling systems while encouraging the formal recycling sector through better infrastructure and incentives, which can reduce dependence on informal networks, thereby creating a more sustainable and organized e-waste management ecosystem.
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