Factors Influencing Willingness to Recycle E-Waste in Kisumu City Central Business District, Kenya

Abstract

The ever increasing levels of electronic waste (e-waste) and limited capacities for disposal and recycling have worsened e-waste management in Kenya. An understanding of end-user of electronic devices (consumer) participation is fundamental in planning for e-waste management as Kenya has a pending bill on e-waste management since 2013 that stipulates the role of consumers in e-waste management. There is need to understand factors influencing willingness to recycle to inform policy. Various studies suggest socio-economic, demographic and individual preferences influence participation by consumers. Our study relied on Kisumu municipality registry (N = 1,193) to get a sample of businesses and offices to be surveyed in the Central Business District. Using multiple regression model, the authors found factors that influence participation in e-waste drop-off schemes are Income, Education, Gender and Recycling habit but not Age and Awareness levels. Our results suggest that Economic instruments such as deposit and refund programs for e-waste drop-off should be embraced by waste planners to encourage low income earners to participate, there is need for civil education on the benefits