Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Ultimate producer responsibility for e-waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria

Thapa, Kaustubh; Vermeulen, Walter J. V.; Deutz, Pauline; Olayide, Olawale

Authors

Kaustubh Thapa

Walter J. V. Vermeulen

Olawale Olayide



Abstract

Used European electric and electronic equipment (UEEE) has multiple use cycles in various countries, including Nigeria. Although the EU-Nigeria e-waste trade is illegal under EU and Nigerian law, previous research shows that some imported equipment is only fit for disposal. Imported UEEE has a short lifespan. Such European e-waste exports imported to Nigeria have sustainability and circularity implications for both places and raise questions about justice and equity. Using a transdisciplinary approach, we identify existing practices and challenges in Nigeria and co-create actionable solutions towards a sustainable, circular and fairness-driven UEEE and e-waste value chain. We find current extended producer responsibility (EPR) does not focus on the entire global value chain, is linear, and lacks transparency, accountability, and consideration for spatial equity. To overcome these shortcomings, we propose ultimate producer responsibility (UPR). UPR aids sustainability and circularity transition while paying attention to justice and equity. The research adds global and social dimensions to the European circular economy (CE), otherwise primarily focused on national material cycles.

Citation

Thapa, K., Vermeulen, W. J. V., Deutz, P., & Olayide, O. (2022). Ultimate producer responsibility for e-waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria. Business Strategy and Development, https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.222

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 12, 2022
Online Publication Date Sep 7, 2022
Publication Date 2022
Deposit Date Sep 7, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Business Strategy and Development
Print ISSN 2572-3170
Electronic ISSN 2572-3170
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.222
Keywords Equity; e-waste J;ust circular economy; Just transition; Nigeria; Used or secondhand electric and electronic equipment; Ultimate producer responsibility
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4068509

Files

Published article (4.1 Mb)
PDF

Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Copyright Statement
© 2022 The Authors. Business Strategy and Development published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.





You might also like



Downloadable Citations