HOUSEHOLD E-WASTE MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY PATHWAYS IN KERALA WITH FOCUS ON POLICY AWARENESS AND DISPOSAL BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) is posing an increasing challenge to environmental sustainability and human health in India, especially among the digitalizing states such as Kerala. This study examines the household electronic waste generation, disposal, concerns, policy awareness, and opportunities of circular economy through surveying 150 households in January 2026.Results reveal moderate levels of generation (mean ~3.2 discarded items per household in two years; 83% generated less than 20 kg in one year), very high concerns related to health hazards (M = 4.47/5) and environmental contamination (M = 4.34/5), along with dependence on informal scrap dealers (48–60%) despite a low level of confidence in the safety of informal recycling (M = 2.09/5).Awareness about the Haritha Karma Sena regular e-waste collection system was quite high (93%), as well as about the Waste Free Kerala target (78–91%), but knowledge of Extended Producer Responsibility was relatively low (~47%). Only 34–36% participated in 2025 special drives. HKS had an effectiveness rating (M = 4.20/5), meaning it partially incorporated the use of e-waste in the state’s guidelines. Households were keen on better incentives (68-72%), better drives (52-55%), and local recycling sites (65-70%) to encourage a move towards formal systems and promote repairs/repurposing. Informality prevalence, lack of EPR knowledge, and need for incentive-based and localized strategies emerged from this research. Some suggestions include improvement in EPR education, drive organization, incentive programs, and development of formal district-based recycling centers for sustainable e-waste management in Kerala.