Electronic waste management in Addis Ababa: The case of Bole and Nefas Silk Lafto sub-cities

Abstract

E-waste is a world-wide, interregional, and domestic problem. E-waste management is a challenging task not only due to its speedily increasing volume but more importantly because of its hazardous nature. This study examined the e-waste management and disposal methods in Addis Ababa the case of Bole and NSL sub-cities. The theoretical basis of this study is Extended Producer Responsibility and the Value-Belief Norm Theory. Through a systematic random sampling, the study selected 100 household heads from Bole and NSL sub-cities. The study ran multiple regression and poison regression models. The increase in the monthly income of the sample households, the less likely relied up on the purchase of second-hand electronic equipment. The breakage of electronic appliances, increasing of obsolescence rate, and the demand for extra and new design were the major causes for the e-waste generation. The consumers with the higher income tend to generate obsolete electronic equipment earlier than the lifetime of the equipment than the respondents with middle and lower income. Commonly storing is the widely practiced disposal method. Little or no other disposal methods such as reusing, donating, refurbishing, and recycling. Findings showed that absence of appropriate disposal methods and recyclers are considered as factors for the lengthy storage and improper disposal.

Keywords:

• e-waste
• electronic equipment
• Extended Producer Responsibility
• e-waste management
• Value-Belief Norm Theory

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by Haramaya University and the University of South Africa. This paper is an extract from a doctoral study by Kitila A. W. (2019) entitled ‘Waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) management and disposal methods in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’ registered at UNISA, Pretoria, South Africa.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.