A working model for sustainable e-waste recycling in small-scale retail and manufacturing: a case study of Magaba, Mbare

Abstract

Global increase in the adoption of technology has become a critical area of concern for developing countries that do not have adequate systems for creating electronic waste management and the right infrastructure for recycling this growing electronic waste, which leaves much of the recycling to the informal sector. Small-Scale retailers at Magaba have not yet created collection points for e-waste, which makes it very difficult for e-waste to be efficiently collected. Three research objectives set were to assess the current state of e-waste management at Magaba's small-scale retailers, to examine barriers to effective e-waste recycling in Magaba, and to design a sustainable e-waste management model tailored to the needs of the small-scale retail sector at Magaba. The research adopted three theories whereby the theoretical framework integrated concepts from Sustainability Theory by Elkington (1994), Stakeholder Theory by Freeman (1984), and Entrepreneurial Business Model Innovation by Christensen (1997) in guiding the development of the sustainable business model for e-waste management. The conceptual framework was adapted focused on creating circularity in electronic waste management at Magaba, with the idea of enforcing recycling and reusing, with stakeholders getting incentives to participate in the model. An interpretivist paradigm was used, and a qualitative research approach was used, which enabled the researcher to explore the actual living experiences of small-scale retailers. The case study research design was chosen. Purposive sampling was used to select 30 participants, and data collection was carried out using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. The findings indicated that the current system of e-waste management in Magaba is primarily informal, unsystematic, and lacks environmental safeguards. Electronic waste, mainly old cellphones, radios, computers, and TVs, is dismantled and sold by informal recyclers using crude methods. Small-scale retailers contribute to both e-waste generation and informal reuse, but there are no structured take-back systems or regulated recycling facilities. The research identified key barriers including lack of policy enforcement, low public awareness, absence of incentives, unsafe handling methods, and exclusion of informal actors from formal systems. These challenges reinforce the stagnation of e-waste management in Magaba. The developed model has inputs including discarded electronics, actors (small-scale retailers, consumers, informal recyclers), and incentives. The outputs include recycled raw materials, refurbished devices. The researcher recommended that the government and Harare City Council should set up localized e-waste drop-off centers in Magaba, supported by both government and private stakeholders. The researcher recommends further research to explore effective strategies for integrating informal recyclers into formal waste systems without disrupting their livelihoods.