Assessing university students' awareness and perceptions of electronic waste hazards in Baghdad, Iraq

Public awareness of electronic waste (e-waste) is critical to avert its effects and reduce the quantity. This is particularly true in developing regions such as Iraq, where awareness is limited. This study aims to evaluate and raise awareness of e-waste among students at the University of Technology. Students were chosen as they are a demographic typically exhibiting higher levels of education and awareness. A structured questionnaire was established and distributed among 136 students. The goal was to assess their knowledge and practices regarding e-waste. The results showed that out of 136 students surveyed, 42 % do not know about e-waste, while 86 % of the total students think there is an environmental consequence of e-waste. In addition, 41 % of the students did not know how to dispose of e-waste, and 85 % thought there should be a policy change. The students believe there are several ways to reduce the accumulation of e-waste, such as public education (23 %), collection points (23 %), promoting environmentally friendly device imports (18 %), implementing management policies (16 %), and proper disposal of electronic devices (13 %). These results highlight the crucial need for raising awareness initiatives. This study serves as a significant resource for policymakers and researchers. The results help policymakers plan knowledgeable regulations that promote practices and invest in infrastructure, such as e-waste collection points. Researchers can gain valuable insights to make targeted educational programs that overcome misconceptions and enhance responsible disposal practices. The research highlighted unique data about the awareness of e-waste among university students in Iraq. It reveals three important keys: willingness for the student to pay for proper disposal, difficulty in identifying the hazardous substance in their devices, and preferring education instead of enforcement for a solution. • 42 % the students that were surveyed did not have enough knowledge about the significant that e-waste had on the environment. • The study showed that 41 % of students lacked information on the proper way to dispose of e-waste/. • 85 % of the surveyed students expressed the need for better handling of electronic waste. • A majority of students recommend raising awareness of e-waste, 18 % recommend switching to environmentally friendly devices, 16 % advocate for waste management policies, and 13 % propose importing appropriate disposal systems.