Determinants of Household Willingness to Engage in E-Waste Recycling
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Electronic waste (e-waste) constitutes a significant environmental threat in rapidly urbanizing regions, such as Vietnam's Mekong Delta, where formal management infrastructure remains profoundly underdeveloped. This study provides crucial baseline data by assessing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior (KAB) of 900 households in Can Tho City. We specifically investigated the key determinants influencing residents' willingness to hand over (WTH) used electronics and their willingness to pay (WTP) for formal recycling services. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, the research employed descriptive and regression analyses to model public participatory behavior. The findings reveal a critical behavioral paradox: despite critically low public knowledge of e-waste hazards, resident attitudes are highly positive, culminating in an exceptionally high WTH (93.11%). However, this strong participatory intent does not translate into financial commitment, evidenced by a low WTP (45.44%). Regression modeling confirmed that attitude is the primary, robust driver of WTH, whereas WTP is significantly influenced by both knowledge and attitude. This research highlights a pivotal gap between public behavioral readiness and the financial viability of formal e-waste schemes. The results strongly suggest that initial policy interventions must prioritize establishing convenient collection infrastructure to immediately capitalize on the existing high WTH. Subsequently, targeted educational campaigns are essential to elevate knowledge, which is a necessary prerequisite for improving WTP and ensuring the long-term sustainability of e-waste management in the region.
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