ABSTRACT
The global trade in electronic waste destined for recycling, disposal or reuse (E-waste) poses a significant risk to human health and the natural environment from improper recycling and disposal. However, in part due to the lack of regulatory attention, few empirical studies of this issue exist. In this paper, we fill this knowledge gap by applying a conservation criminology framework to E-waste. Specifically, we draw on criminology and criminal Justice, natural-resources management, and risk and decision sciences to describe the nature of the trade, relevant stakeholders, and current interventions. Our initial step is to develop a more holistic picture of E-waste and identify knowledge gaps for future research, working toward building theoretical explanations necessary for effective policy development. Through this work, we hope to demonstrate the importance of, and the steps involved in, using this multi-disciplinary framework to examine and address complex environmental and social problems.
