DRIVING SUSTAINABLE E-WASTE RECYCLING BEHAVIORS IN INDIA: CHALLENGES, MODELS, AND SOLUTIONS

The paper explores the recycling behavior model of e-waste management in India using regression analysis, focusing on understanding and influencing consumer, recycler, and policymaker behaviors towards sustainable e-waste management practices. It reviews existing literature on e-waste recycling behaviors, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder roles within the recycling ecosystem to develop effective e-waste management strategies. Utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Waste Management Hierarchy, the study examines the motivations and barriers to e-waste recycling. Through a mixed-methods research design, including structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, the study assesses the impact of knowledge and awareness, environmental concern, government policies, recycling challenges, collection preferences, disposal practices, and technological changes on recycling behaviors. The analysis reveals significant predictors of recycling behavior, supporting the hypothesis that knowledge, environmental concern, policy awareness, and technological advancements positively influence e-waste recycling, while identifying challenges and preferences that could be addressed to improve recycling rates. The paper concludes with recommendations for enhancing e-waste management practices in India, emphasizing the need for increased awareness, stronger policies, technological innovation, and addressing recycling challenges to improve environmental outcomes and achieve sustainable e-waste management.