Determinants of Electronic-Waste Disposal Strategies by Utility Companies in Kenya

Abstract

The Electronics industry is the largest and fastest growing enterprise globally with huge generation of electronic waste (e-waste) throughout the world. E-waste has hazardous components which if discarded unchecked result into serious consequences to the environment and human health. E-waste management is not yet properly researched in Kenya keeping in mind the unique needs of the under developed world, more so in the Kenyan context. The adequacy of e-waste regulations has been questionable with incidents of poisoning and industrial explosions going on unchecked. Examples include Uhuru Owino Village lead battery exposures and the subsequent children lead poisoning at Mombasa in year 2012. This study addressed e-waste disposal management issues in utility firms in the context of Kenya through an economic perspective and the associated environmental and social challenges. The firms are large generators of e-waste in Kenya. The study focused on various factors including e-waste stakeholder awareness. Regulations enforcement' as a moderator variable particularly in policy enforcement in utility companies was investigated. The research was a survey design. A random sample of 290 respondents drawn from employees in the utility firms was used. Data analysis comprised of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using regression models. The results of the study revealed that stakeholder awareness influenced 15% of e-waste disposal practices which increased to 21.7% with regulations enforcement. The results will assist policy makers in drafting fact-based policies, environment managers in creation of green jobs and organizational strategy formulation in waste management.