An exploratory study of Spanish households' WEEE disposal behaviour. (21st October 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gutiérrez, Ester; Adenso-Díaz, Belarmino; Lozano, Sebastián; Moreno, Plácido
• Is Part Of: International journal of society systems science. Volume 3:Number 4(2011)
• Page Start: 385
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2011-10-21
• Subjects: waste of electric and electronic equipment -- WEEE -- appliances per household -- appliances durations -- replacement reasons -- recycling motivations -- Spain; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social systems -- Periodicals; Sociology -- Periodicals; System theory -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Social networks -- Periodicals; 301.072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-2511

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an exploratory study based on a survey of 1, 537 households in Spain. The questionnaire included 23 key questions regarding the number of appliances in use, previous appliances lifetimes, reasons for buying each new appliance and end-of-life handling of discarded appliances. The distribution of the households along a number of relevant factors was analysed and a prototypical household was identified. A non-parametric analysis of the duration of each type of appliance has also been carried out and it was found that television sets are the most durable of the appliances considered. Survival rates for irons fall more rapidly than for microwaves. Moreover, television sets are the most durable of the appliances considered. Replacement rates of personal computers rapidly increase after approximately six to eight years. Finally, a statistical analysis of the respondents motivations for recycling the appliances considered in this study was carried out.