Redefining the E-waste Management Framework at the University of Leeds: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainability
The rising gap between the amount of e-waste being produced and recycled is one of the major environmental concerns facing the world today. The UK stands second internationally in terms of the e-waste generated per capita. The dependence on electronics has increased, especially in institutions of higher learning, due to the expanding digitalisation of education (e.g., e-learning). Additionally, the sheer volume of research necessitates using cutting-edge electronics, while the frequent hardware/software upgrades result in a high rate of obsolescence. Despite being major e-waste producers, the universities typically lack the capability to ensure that their end-of-life equipment is handled sustainably. Thus, effective e-waste management at the university level is vital for achieving a circular economy. This study aims to critically evaluate the policies and practices concerning e-waste generation, handling, and disposal at the University of Leeds.
Based on a literature review, a set of open-ended questions was formulated. Next, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the University staff. The discussions attempted to gauge the level of e-waste awareness and evaluate the effectiveness of current practices. Finally, the anonymised data was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed to identify recurring experiences and opinions.
The results highlight several challenges, which include, inter alia, lack of time and capacity with the staff, diversity of electronic lab equipment across faculties and absence of a pan-University e-waste management unit. In addition, various drivers for sustainable e-waste management at the University are identified, such as better information dissemination, managing inventory of e-waste, and institutionalising responsibility for e-waste.
In conclusion, the study explores e-waste at the level of universities in an effort to bridge a significant research gap. It formulates a comprehensive framework to manage e-waste based on the best practices collated from universities across the globe, tailors it to the University's needs, and provides recommendations for e-waste monitoring.
