Public Awareness, Perception, and Behavioral Intention toward E-Waste Recycling and Management: A Theory of Planned Behaviour-Based Analysis from the Western Province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) has emerged as a significant environmental challenge worldwide due to the rapid growth in electronic device consumption and inadequate waste management systems. In Sri Lanka, per capita e-waste generation increased from 4.2 kg in 2014 to 6.3 kg in 2019, underscoring the need for effective management strategies. Despite national regulations, public participation in proper e-waste disposal and recycling remains limited. This study investigated public awareness, perceptions, and behavioral intentions regarding e-waste management in the Western Province of Sri Lanka using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 210 respondents from Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts. Independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and chi-square analyses were employed to examine demographic influences and attitude–behavioral intention relationships. The findings showed that 63.3% of respondents could correctly identify e-waste, while 81.9% were unaware of existing laws and regulations. Significant differences in awareness, perception, and behavioral intention were observed across educational levels and districts, while gender significantly influenced subjective norms and behavioral intentions (p < 0.05). Furthermore, seven of the nine tested attitude–behavioral intention relationships were statistically significant, supporting TPB's applicability in explaining e-waste recycling behavior. Although 84.8% of respondents expressed willingness to hand over obsolete devices to authorized recyclers, fewer than 11% had participated in formal recycling programs, indicating a substantial intention–behavior gap. The findings highlight inadequate collection infrastructure as a key barrier and provide valuable insights for strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, public awareness initiatives, and formal e-waste collection systems in Sri Lanka.