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Identifying Drivers and Hindrances to the Disposal of Used Mobile Phones: A Study of User Behavior in the UAE

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  • Gayle Patrao
  • Ajit Karnik

Abstract

The use of mobile phones is ubiquitous around the world. Alongside the usage of mobile phones has been the rapid growth of related electronic waste, mainly aided by the very low rates of recycling of used phones. This study investigates the reasons behind the low rates of recycling of mobile phones in the United Arab Emirates, one of the heaviest users of mobile phones and one with very high e-waste generation. The study also has an important practical dimension in view of the policy initiative of the government in moving toward a circular economy. A significant contribution of this study is that we report the responses of phone users with respect to their usage patterns and factors that inhibit or enable them to recycle their phones. Our results show that environmental awareness about recycling and knowledge of the environmental consequences of improperly disposed of phones encourage recycling. However, personal, and external barriers prevent responsible disposal. We recommend strong government intervention, especially in school education, to enhance awareness about recycling. Further, the infrastructure for recycling needs to be made more user friendly and incentives should be offered to overcome personal barriers to recycling.

Suggested Citation

  • Gayle Patrao & Ajit Karnik, 2023. "Identifying Drivers and Hindrances to the Disposal of Used Mobile Phones: A Study of User Behavior in the UAE," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:13:y:2023:i:3:p:21582440231196757
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440231196757
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ayisha Siddiqua & Maisa El Gamal & Waheed Kareem Abdul & Lama Mahmoud & Fares M Howari, 2022. "E-Device Purchase and Disposal Behaviours in the UAE: An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-23, April.
    2. Raffaele Isernia & Renato Passaro & Ivana Quinto & Antonio Thomas, 2019. "The Reverse Supply Chain of the E-Waste Management Processes in a Circular Economy Framework: Evidence from Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Muhammad Ikram & Robert Sroufe & Usama Awan & Nabila Abid, 2021. "Enabling Progress in Developing Economies: A Novel Hybrid Decision-Making Model for Green Technology Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-30, December.
    4. Yangke Ding & Lei Ma & Ye Zhang & Dingzhong Feng, 2018. "Analysis of Evolution Mechanism and Optimal Reward-Penalty Mechanism for Collection Strategies in Reverse Supply Chains: The Case of Waste Mobile Phones in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Taher Ben Yahya & Noriza Mohd Jamal & Balan Sundarakani & Siti Zaleha Omain, 2022. "The Potential Determinants for Smartphone Recycling Behaviour Sustainability in UAE," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
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