Critical factors for implementing collection target responsibility in e-waste collection in China: A DEMATEL-ISM analysis

Abstract

The Collection Target Responsibility (CTR) is the direction for the proper management of e-waste reuse and recycling. Despite its potential, the CTR policy is still in its infancy in China and faces significant challenges to its effective implementation. There are a few studies that have systematically identified and analyzed the factors that influence the application of CTR to e-waste collection systems in China. This study proposes a comprehensive process that considers collection targets and behaviors to develop the critical factors (CFs) involved in e-waste collection under CTR by participants including government, manufacturers and recyclers. The Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory and Interpretative Structural Modeling (DEMATEL-ISM) method was applied to analyze these CFs. The findings show that the development of policy and regulation is the root factor influencing the implementation of CTR in China, both in terms of collection targets and behaviors. Incentives and regulation of government, collection channels, and benefits of manufacturers and recyclers are important CFs that participants consider when adopting CTR and should be prioritized. This study not only contributes to the literature on e-waste collection under CTR, but also provides valuable insights for decision-makers to improve the performance of e-waste collection practices.