Students’ assessment of electronic waste environmental management and sustainability at an emirati federal institution

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation

Publication Date

1-1-2020

Abstract

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020. With the ever-shortening lifespan of electronic devices due to advancements in electronics and attractive consumer designs, a dramatic rise in the electronic waste magnitude has been reported as a severe challenge worldwide. These devices do contain not only valuable recyclable materials but also toxic chemicals which can impose human effects and environmental pollution. This paper investigates the awareness among UAE educated people about the electronic waste magnitude. Regionally, UAE generates 17.2 kg of e-waste per capita every year. It ranks among the highest producers of e-waste in the middle-east. As such, in efforts to develop guide strategies and extend awareness among UAE population, a diagnostic survey was conducted and spread among 562 government undergraduate students (202 males and 360 females). One significant finding revealed that despite only one-quarter of the students are not genuinely aware of e-waste definition and its environmental effects; those who are aware are not effectively practicing appropriate e-waste disposal potentially due to the lack of motivation and willingness. Finally, recommendations for engaging students in environmental sustainability through in-campus standards and operations are followed.

ISSN

2522-8714

Publisher

Springer International Publishing

First Page

263

Last Page

269

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Keywords

E-Waste management, Electronic waste, Environmental pollution, Social awareness, Sustainability, Toxic

Scopus ID

85097978000

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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