Electronic Waste Disposal Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis in the Framework of Behavioral and Technological Factors

Sustainability is one of the most critical issues of our time. Although sustainability is such a popular topic, the concept and methods of sustainable disposal occupy a very limited space in the minds of consumers. When it comes to different waste groups such as electronic waste, consumers may even show a tendency to avoid sustainability-related behavior. This study examines consumers' electronic waste disposal behaviors and the factors that encourage or hinder this process. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 11 participants selected through purposeful sampling were evaluated using the MAXQDA program and the thematic analysis method. The findings show that expectations of economic benefit and accessible recycling infrastructure encourage sustainable disposal, while insecurity, lack of awareness, and inadequate infrastructure act as hindering factors. The study offers suggestions to improve consumer behavior and serves as a guide for policy makers and practitioners. The findings are expected to meaningfully contribute to the development of electronic waste management strategies.