ADDRESSING CONSUMER HESITATION IN E-WASTE RECYCLING DIGITAL PLATFORMS: A REVIEW

Abstract

The continued exponential growth of electronic waste has major environmental, social, and economic consequences.   Today, modern e-waste treatment procedures incorporate a wide range of information technology approaches and digital platforms.   However, consumer adoption of these platforms remains low.   This study fills up the void by investigating the primary barriers that prevent consumers from using digital platforms for e-waste recycling. Based on Innovation Resistance Theory (IRT), this study employs a dual-method approach; a PRISMA-guided systematic literature review and a qualitative web content analysis of digital platform operations and user feedback.  The findings indicate that functional barriers, specifically usage, value, and risk, are the most significant barriers to adoption, with poor usability and system disruption being the most prominent. Psychological barriers, such as tradition and image, have a lesser but nonetheless substantial impact.  This insight emphasizes the crucial importance of user-centred platform design, transparent processes, and personalized interaction techniques. Future research should include empirical and region-specific investigations, such as surveys and behavioural experiments, to validate these findings and suggest effective intervention strategies.  This research indicates that bridging the gap between digital innovation and user behaviour is critical to fostering engagement in sustainable e-waste management.