Determination of the knowledge of e-waste disposal impacts on the environment among different educational and income levels in China, Laos, and Thailand

Abstract

E-waste is one of the fast growing wastes in the solid waste stream in the urban environment. It has become a widely recognized social and environmental problem; therefore, proper management is vital to protecting the fragile environment from its improper disposal. Questionnaire surveys were conducted to determine the knowledge of environmental impacts of e-waste disposal as it relates to mobile phones among different educational and income levels in China, Laos, and Thailand. The results revealed that respondents’ educational level was positively correlated with their knowledge of how to improve environmental conditions (P105) (r = 0.072, n = 2045, p < 0.01). Respondents’ income level was negatively correlated with their knowledge of the status of environmental conditions (P104) (r = −0.151, n = 1836, p < 0.01). Gaps were detected at the educational and income levels of Thai and Chinese respondents in their knowledge about existing e-waste-related laws and how to improve environmental conditions. Thus, efforts to bridge the gaps through initiating proper educational programs in these two countries were necessary.