Electronic Waste is a Mess: Awareness and Proenvironmental Behavior Among University Students in Ghana

Abstract

E-waste contains hazardous chemicals and materials that threaten the environment and human health, when improperly disposed. This study examined levels of awareness of e-waste disposal among university students in Ghana, and their proenvironmental decision-making using two outcome variables: knowledge on environmental impact and policy issues (EIPI) and environmental behavior and sustainability (EBS). Reliability estimates (Cronbach's alpha) for the two outcomes variables were 0.91 and 0.72, respectively. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to explore and determine the underlying factor structure for the latent constructs employed as dependent variables; and to verify the factor structure while testing the relationships between observed indicators and their underlying latent constructs. Ordinary Least Square techniques were then used to examine the effects of theoretically relevant covariates on the selected dependent variables. Results indicate satisfactory model adequacy, (χ²=33.59, df = 29; p < 0.255; RMSEA = 0.01). Awareness of e-waste among the students was generally low. Students’ awareness of e-waste contamination of air and soil (effects) was higher than their awareness of acceptable e-waste practices (change strategies) or environmental policy (vision). Gender and level of study were both positively related to environmental behavior and sustainability (EBS). Compared to females, males scored higher (b = 0.192) on EBS. Students in the lower levels of their university education scored higher (b = 0.256) on EBS, compared to those in upper years of university. Also, students in the lower levels of university scored higher on knowledge of environmental impact and policy (b = .0175), compared to those in upper years of university.