Transitioning to formalise E-waste urban mining practices: Resistance to change perspective

The informal e-waste sector in developing countries has evolved into a critical yet hazardous component of urban resource recovery, characterised by low-tech, unsafe, and environmentally damaging practices. Although governments increasingly promote formalisation, little is known about the micro-level resistance factors that shape informal sector employees’ reluctance to transition. This study addresses this gap by exploring the micro-level factors from the owners' and supervisors' perspectives which influence formalisation in Sri Lanka’s informal e-waste urban mining sector practices. Drawing on 27 semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions, the analysis reveals cognitive, affective, leadership, and behavioural factors that shape informal sector employees’ reluctance to transition. These interlinked factors create a self-reinforcing system that sustains informality despite clear environmental, health and economic risks. Grounded in the Resistance to Change (RTC) perspective, the study offers the first empirical examination of micro-level resistance in this context and introduces the Resistance to Change framework that explains how such resistance shapes formalisation trajectories. The findings advance current theoretical debates and provide actionable insights to support policy reforms aligned with Sri Lanka’s National Policy on Waste Management. • Informal e-waste sector relies on unsafe, low-tech, and harmful processing methods. • Limited research on micro-level resistance factors in formalising informal practices. • Cognitive, affective, leadership, and behavioural factors drive resistance. • The study advances RTC theory in informal, low-regulation environments. • A new Resistance to Change framework explains resistance and formalisation pathways.