Abstract
Nowadays, management of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the related waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a growing concern around the world and clearly an open issue to tackle in order to move towards a more circular economy. The goal of this review paper is to analyze and summarize research conducted exploring behaviors connected with purchases, extension of useful life, and management of end of life of electrical and electronic equipment. The results highlight several research exploring the determinants of WEEE recycling behavior, also in relation with different practices (e.g., online recycling); on the other hand other typologies of behaviors are less analyzed in the literature (e.g., purchase of used EEE products, donation of EEE products, participation in WEEE takeback activities established by firm operating in this sector, etc.). Moreover, the results suggest that the theoretical model adopted in many studies reveals its usefulness to predict the determinist of such circular consumer’s behavior in relation to the purchase, extension of life, and end of life management of electrical and electronic products; however, in many cases, additional variables are needed to fully explain the behavior.
Highlights
Nowadays, the traditional “take–make–dispose” model is currently questioned by the new paradigm of circular economy
The management of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the related waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a growing concern around the world and clearly an open issue to tackle in order to move towards a more circular economy
We present the methodological process adopted in selecting the papers to be analyzed; the following section introduces and comments on some of the most relevant work related to purchases, extension of useful life, and management of end of life of electrical and electronic equipment
Summary
The traditional “take–make–dispose” model is currently questioned by the new paradigm of circular economy. More sustainable methods of consuming and managing materials and resources are becoming increasingly important on a global scale [2] In such a context, the management of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the related waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a growing concern around the world and clearly an open issue to tackle in order to move towards a more circular economy. The development of advanced, faster, and more reliable processing and processing technologies has led to a reduction in the product life cycle, prompting consumers to purchase increasingly current products in terms of technology and performance, sending obsolete products for disposal. All these developments have in turn led to an exponential increase in the generation of electronic waste. According to Balde et al [3], the per capita average of electronic waste generated by people around the world in 2014 was approximately 5.9 kg per capita
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
