Evaluation of Awareness about Electronic Waste and Concern for the Environment in Tayma Governorate, Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the people’s awareness level about electronic waste (e-waste) disposal and management practices as well as their impact on environment, also provides recommendations for moving forward on this problem in Tayma governorate, KSA. The data for this work were collected during the distribution of 96 questionnaires on householders and governmental organizations (municipality and health sector). Likert Scale was used for the analysis of the participants. The results of householders exhibited that awareness are low or medium various degrees for e-waste disposal and management practices as well as their impact on environment and there is no formal or informal e-waste sector in Tayma governorate. The participants reported that they use all electronic home appliances, computers, laptops and Mobile phone and more than double the equipment was disposed of as e-waste during the past 10 years, which increases e-waste. The responses from the Tayma governorate's municipality and health sector revealed that a large number of people (from 68% to 88%) did not know a person or company that could collect their used electronics for reuse, resale, recycling, or dismantling; they were also unaware of any electronic waste management policies currently in place in Tayma; and there was a very low perception of public awareness of the laws in place for e-waste and for the control of exposure. Also, there are hazards to the growing amount of e-waste in Tayma and they must be support the unorganized sector’s role in waste management (while providing for safer practices). They added, no companies and the general population complied with electronic waste management policies and not found priority of government and individual levels for e-waste problem now. Finally, they said the vision 2030 for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is gives full attention to the e-waste problem. The participants needs to more information on government rules and regulation for e-waste management. Government entities in Tayma Governorate must therefore make invest more in raising public awareness at all levels of society as well as at the legislative and institutional levels.