Fernanda Pedro, Ernesto Giglio, Luis Velazquez, Nora Munguia
Pedro, F., Giglio, E., Velazquez, L., & Munguia, N. (2021). Constructed Governance as Solution to Conflicts in E-Waste Recycling Networks. Sustainability, 13(4), 1701. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041701
Electronic waste (e-waste) has become an increasingly pressing problem worldwide becauseof the increase in the volume of waste, without a corresponding increase in the recycling rate. E-wasterecycling models show a low percentage of reuse, at around 17.4% in the world, 11% in Latin America,and 3% in São Paulo City, Brazil. The sources of conflicts relating to e-waste recycling networks arediverse, including asymmetries of objectives, knowledge, ethical values, and culture of sustainability,which indicates the need for a system of regulatory mechanisms. The article’s main propositionis that constructed governance, which is a collective process involving many actors, could be analternative to e-waste recycling management. The city of São Paulo was chosen to be analyzed. Usingan abductive methodology, the data analysis shows a fragmented network, with conflicts of interestamong commercial and sustainability objectives, an absence of legal knowledge, and increases in theincorrect disposal of waste. However, initiatives in small groups in Brazil, which can be consideredas examples of constructed governance, show a better volume of waste and the transportation ofwaste material to the right destination. The authors argue that constructed governance could bean efficient tool for e-waste recycling management systems. Besides, the article offers a matrix of indicators that can be used by both researchers and recycling managers.
