DRIVERS OF E-WASTE RECYCLING BEHAVIOR IN URBAN SRI LANKA: THE ROLE OF ECONOMIC INCENTIVES, CONVENIENCE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a growing global environmental issue driven by rapid technological change, shorter product lifespans, and rising consumer demand. In Colombo and other urban areas of Sri Lanka, formal recycling is limited, with informal practices prevailing despite increasing environmental awareness. This study examines how economic incentives, convenience, and environmental awareness influence formal e-waste recycling among urban households and explores the motivations and barriers affecting participation. This study used a convergent sequential mixed-methods design combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The quantitative phase surveyed 250 households across five municipal councils using Likert-scale items from prior studies, analysed with descriptive statistics, correlations, and regression models. The qualitative phase included 25 purposively selected households, analysed thematically to capture contextual insights. Ethical procedures, including informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation, were strictly followed. Results indicate a clear attitude–behaviour gap. Despite high environmental awareness (M = 4.40), formal recycling participation was very low (M = 1.42), with most households storing e-waste or selling it to informal collectors. Convenience was the strongest predictor of formal recycling (r = 0.676, β = 0.694, p < 0.05), while economic incentives and awareness had no significant effect. Age and education influenced behaviour—older individuals engaged more in informal practices, whereas higher-educated households showed greater formal participation; income showed no effect. Qualitative findings revealed four key themes: “Convenience is King,” highlighting ease of access; “Awareness and Trust as Catalysts,” showing knowledge alone is insufficient without system credibility; “Money Helps, but It’s Not the Driver,” indicating incentives are secondary; and “System Needs Structural Intervention,” emphasizing infrastructural gaps. Consistent with the Theory of Planned Behaviour, perceived behavioural control was central to recycling decisions. The study recommends a hybrid strategy integrating improved infrastructure, targeted awareness, community engagement, transparency, and modest incentives. Embedding convenient and trustworthy recycling options into daily urban life can close the gap between environmental intention and action in e-waste management.