Circular economy and e-waste: a consumer-centric investigation in the UAE

The growing use of consumer electronics, combined with their increasingly short lifespans, has contributed to a significant rise in electronic waste (e-waste). This study examines how consumers’ awareness of environmental consequences related to e-waste, together with perceived convenience factors such as the accessibility of nearby collection facilities, shapes their recycling intentions and actual behaviours. Drawing on prior literature, a conceptual framework and corresponding hypotheses were developed and empirically tested. Data were collected through a nationwide survey of consumers in the UAE, yielding 106 valid responses, and analysed using path analysis. The results indicate that both environmental awareness and perceived convenience positively affect individuals’ intentions to recycle e-waste, although the effects are moderate. More importantly, recycling intention emerges as a strong predictor of actual recycling behaviour. These results highlight the importance of adopting a consumer-oriented perspective when designing policies and practical initiatives aimed at improving e-waste recycling outcomes.

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