Consumer Awareness dimensions in the Electronic Waste Recycling Process (E-WASTE)

The increasing use of technological products brought a new type of waste to the environment, the electronic waste (e-waste), and the question of what to do with it. This study aimed to identify the dimensions that compose the consumer behavior regarding the level of consciousness in the recycling of electronics products. This is a quantitative study, using multivariate analysis techniques such as factor analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis. Data collection was conducted through a survey in loco with the 166 respondents. Five dimensions, which explain the practice of recycling of e-waste, were identified: strategic actions of firms, benefits generated by recycling, barriers to the practice of recycling, the presence of recycling points and recycling motivation. From the dimensions found, the subjects were divided into two groups, those that are more likely and those who are less likely to contribute to the recycling of e-waste with high discrimination power. It was concluded that awareness about e-waste is understood in different ways and that, despite the contribution be seen as socially acceptable as is rarely practiced.