Leveraging Social Media to Gauge Public Opinion on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management

Abstract

In recent years, the rapid advancement of technology has led to a significant increase in the global use of electrical and electronic devices. This has resulted in a surge in the generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), a critical component of the complex solid waste management process. Since consumers play a major role in generating WEEE, understanding their perspectives on WEEE disposal is essential for developing effective management strategies. This study employs a combined approach utilizing quantitative methods, such as the analysis of 2,905,579 Twitter tweets collected from May 2019 to April 2022, and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) technique, to identify appropriate end-of-life (EOL) options for WEEE. While there have been numerous studies on factors influencing consumer participation in WEEE disposal programs, no prior research has focused on identifying suitable EOL options for WEEE. A review of the literature revealed that factors such as ease of access to recycling centers, awareness, distrust in governments, financial incentives, charitable contributions, and concerns about data disclosure influence consumers’ decisions to participate in WEEE disposal programs. Additionally, four EOL options, namely re-use, remanufacturing, recycling, and disposal, were suggested for these products. Subsequently, the FAHP technique was used to examine the relationships between these options, and a suitable EOL option was recommended for each factor. The findings of this research can serve as a valuable tool in the WEEE management process, aiding in the development of effective strategies for WEEE disposal and contributing to a more sustainable approach to handling electronic waste.