The mediating impact of monetary incentives : A study on consumers’ willingness to recycle sWEEE

Abstract: E-waste is a growing problem across the world. With a higher living standard comes an increase in electronic product usage and subsequently discarding, which leads to negative environmental and human impact when discarded incorrectly. This improper discarding of E-waste is most prevalent in the small equipment category. Based on earlier research on reducing improper disposal of E-waste and characteristics of inducing behavioural change, this study examines the mediating impact of monetary incentives on people's willingness to recycle small waste electrical and electronic equipment (sWEEE) through a deposit-refund system (DRS). The study uses an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to examine the mediating effect of monetary incentives and aims to examine which of the influencing factors of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control has the biggest impact on willingness to recycle sWEEE using a DRS. Data was collected through a quantitative method with a survey that was shared on social media. A sample of 152 was realised and the data was analysed by means of structural equation modelling, employing a partial least squares method using SmartPLS. The results showed that attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control did not have a significant impact on willingness to recycle sWEEE using a DRS. Furthermore, the mediating effect of monetary incentives showed that monetary incentives decrease willingness to recycle, which in turn impacts recycling behaviour. As the results are contrary to extant research, the findings warrant further research into the area.