"“What do I do with my old mobile phones? I just put them in a drawer”: Attitudes and perspectives towards the disposal of mobile phones in Liverpool, UK"

Speake, Janet and Nchawa Yangke, Leopoul (2015) "“What do I do with my old mobile phones? I just put them in a drawer”: Attitudes and perspectives towards the disposal of mobile phones in Liverpool, UK". Human Geographies – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, 9 (2). pp. 241-260. ISSN 1843–6587

Text J Speake Human Geographies Nov 2015 (3) (2).docx Download (15kB)

Abstract

"The rapid rise in the use of mobile (cell) phones, combined with their shortening lifespan,due to a high replacement frequency, are posing disposal management challenges at a time when mobile phones are the fastest growing component of Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE). In this study, 250 people in Liverpool, UK, were surveyed using mixed methods quantitative and qualitative approach to investigate their attitudes and perspectives towards their use and disposal of mobile phones. Most people change their phones every one to two years. However, despite asserting that mobile phones should be
recycled, repaired or reused, and demonstrating awareness of the hazards and toxicity of mobile phones, 86% of people store their 'retired' phones, with almost half, having three to four phones stockpiled. The small size and light weight of mobile phones make stockpiling an easy option and create obstacles for 'take-back' and other more formal ways of reuse or recycling."

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	"mobile (cell) phones, disposal, electronic waste, stockpiling, attitudes and perspectives, Liverpool, UK. "
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences > School of Computer Science and the Environment
Depositing User:	Mary Rice
Date Deposited:	21 Apr 2016 10:38
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2025 11:48
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/877

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