Predictors of Electronic Wastes Disposal Behaviour Among Young Adults in South-South, Nigeria (Published)
This study empirically investigates the predictors of electronic waste disposal behavior among young adults in Uyo, Nigeria. Employing a quantitative survey design, data were collected from a population of young adults who have been active users of electronic/electrical gadgets for the past five years. Given the infinite nature of this population, a non-probability sampling method, specifically quota sampling, was adopted. The sample size was determined using the formula for sample size estimation. The research instrument, a questionnaire, underwent validation procedures, including face validity, content validity, and construct validity. Reliability testing was conducted using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with multiple regressions employed to test the hypotheses. Additionally, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to confirm the results of the multiple regressions and assess the model’s fitness for the data. The findings of this study indicate several significant determinants of electronic waste disposal behaviour among young adults in Uyo, Nigeria. Notably, attitude emerges as a pivotal driver of electronic waste disposal behavior, aligning with prior research conducted across diverse geographic and cultural contexts. This highlights the universal importance of cultivating a positive attitude towards responsible e-waste disposal, irrespective of regional disparities. Conversely, the study reveals that subjective norms do not exhibit a positive and significant association with electronic waste disposal behavior. Furthermore, perceived behavioral control is found to have a significant impact on electronic waste disposal behavior. The influence of environmental knowledge, however, is less pronounced than previously suggested. The research also emphasizes the influential role of individual responsibility in shaping electronic waste disposal behavior. The multifaceted nature of electronic waste disposal behavior is underscored, necessitating a context-specific approach to interventions and policies. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the promotion of attitudinal change, context-specific interventions, enhancement of perceived behavioral control, reassessment of environmental knowledge strategies, empowerment of individual responsibility, cross-cultural comparative studies, and the development and implementation of tailored policies to address the unique challenges of this demographic. This research offers valuable contributions to the scholarly discourse on e-waste management and informs strategies for sustainable and environmentally conscious communities.
Keywords: Nigeria, attitude, disposal behaviour, electronic/electrical wastes, environmental knowledge, individual responsibility, perceived behavioural control, subjective norm, young adults