Domestic flow of e-waste in Sao Paulo, Brazil: Characterization to support public policies

Autor(es)

Rodrigues, Angela C. ^[1] ; Boscov, Maria E. G. ^[2] ; Gunther, Wanda M. R. ^[3]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Fdn Sch Sociol & Polit Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Engn, Dept Struct & Geotech Engn, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Environm Hlth, Ave Doutor Arnaldo 715, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: WASTE MANAGEMENT; v. 102, p. 474-485, FEB 1 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 2

Resumo

Understanding the domestic flow of e-waste is essential for efficient waste management in urban contexts. However, diagnosis of domestic e-waste flow is complex due to its diffuse generation and dependence on consumer behavior. Here, we characterized domestic e-waste flow in Sao Paulo, Brazil (a megacity with roughly 11 million inhabitants in 3.5 million households), describing the stages of product acquisition, out-of-use storage, and end-of-life destination, via a population-based cross-sectional study using a statistically representative sample. We conducted household interviews using a structured questionnaire, with questions on characteristics, quantities, and behaviors of acquisition, replacement, storage, repair, and destination for 26 electric and electronic equipment (EEE) categories. Each household had on average 21 EEE (95% confidence interval {[}CI]: 19.7-21.7), of which 18 were in use and 3 were out-of-use. Out-of-use storage was common, occurring in 72.6% of households. Discarded EEE (i.e., e-waste) was destined for intended reuse (59.5%; 95% CI: 57.4-61.5%), recycling (20.4%; 95% CI: 18.8-22.1%), and, particularly for small EEE, municipal waste (16.0%; 95% CI: 14.5-17.6%). Other aspects of domestic e-waste flow (e.g., place and time of acquisition, second-hand acquisition, donation, intention to repair damaged EEE, and storage) were quantified and related to actions for public policies. This research shows that household surveys are useful for obtaining primary data to verify consumer behavior toward EEE. We expect the findings of this study to support decision-making for public policies related to e-waste management, particularly in countries where reverse logistics systems are in the initial phase of implementation. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 08/05089-1 - Avaliação do fluxo domiciliar dos resíduos de equipamentos elétricos e eletrônicos (REEE) no município de São Paulo
• Beneficiário: Wanda Maria Risso Günther
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular