Informing E-Waste Policy through Ground-Level Insights on Appliance Lifecycles
Description
This nationwide study explored the repair, reuse, and disposal practices of electric cooking and domestic appliances in Nepal, as e-waste from household electronics grows alongside clean energy adoption. Conducted across four diverse municipalities, the research used surveys, interviews, and focus groups to uncover behavioral trends, infrastructure gaps, and policy needs. The findings provide critical evidence to support the development of inclusive and sustainable e-waste management systems.
Impact
267
267 household surveys conducted across four municipalities.
20
20 key informant interviews carried out with relevant stakeholders.
4
4 geographically and socio-economically distinct locations covered: Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Mahalaxmi Rural Municipality, Aaurahi Rural Municipality, and Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City.
This project was undertaken to address the emerging challenge of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) management in Nepal, driven by rapid urbanization and the increasing use of electronic devices, particularly in households. As the Government of Nepal promotes clean energy initiatives such as electric cooking and biogas to reduce reliance on traditional fuels, the unintended consequence has been a growing volume of e-waste, especially from electronic cooking appliances. In response to this issue, the project focused on understanding the lifecycle management of electrical and electronic devices—specifically their repair, reuse, and end-of-life handling practices—in the Nepali context. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the behaviors and practices around the disposal and repair of these appliances and assess the existing knowledge and infrastructure related to e-waste.
To achieve this, a mixed-methods research approach was used, consisting of 267 household surveys, 20 key informant interviews, and five focused group discussions. A stratified purposive sampling strategy ensured diverse and representative data collection across four geographically and socio-economically distinct areas: Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Mahalaxmi Rural Municipality, Aaurahi Rural Municipality, and Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City. The findings revealed significant gaps in public awareness regarding the hazards of e-waste and safe disposal practices. Moreover, the study highlighted the informal and fragmented nature of existing repair and recycling systems and the absence of structured policies or collection mechanisms. This research serves as a foundational step toward developing more effective and inclusive e-waste management policies and systems in Nepal, with a focus on promoting responsible disposal, encouraging repair and reuse, and safeguarding both environmental and human health.
