Integrated framework for modelling the management of electronic waste in Saudi Arabia

Waste is now electronic, and the landscape of electronic waste management is changing radically. Besides a rapidly growing world population, globalisation is driving the demand for electronic products. Electronic products have a diverse and complex composition. Elements like iron and aluminium and materials like plastics and glasses constitute the bulk of the e-waste, and they contain almost 80% of Waste Electronic and Electric Equipment -WEEE- by weight. The rest contains valuable components and toxic materials. Toxic materials like lead, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, hexavalent chromium, and flame retardants badly affect people and the environment. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 215 tons of computer waste contain 2 tons of arsenic, 3 tons of mercury, and 10 tons of lead on average. The electronic revolution, as it turns out, is plagued with waste, and disposing of e-waste is a looming threat in Saudi Arabia, with informal recycling activities growing very fast. Although the reusing and recycling of e-waste have environmentally positive impacts in general, citizens are often uncertain of which obsolete management option is preferred. This research explores how the Saudi people can accept a new concept of treating old electronic equipment. The objective was to examine the attitudes and perspectives of the citizens of Saudi Arabia on e-waste management to develop effective e-waste management practices