Title: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on e-waste generation and management in the Philippines

Authors: Megan Rylene A. Sioco; Arnagreth A. Alabanza; Bea Angela N. Macalalag; Priyanka Aljorie L. Tan; Zeba F. Alam

Addresses: De La Salle University Integrated School, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines ' De La Salle University Integrated School, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines ' De La Salle University Integrated School, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines ' De La Salle University Integrated School, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines ' Department of Biology, EBRU, CENSER DLSU, Philippines

Abstract: Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or e-waste management is an emerging challenge both globally and in the Philippines due to its hazardous impacts on the environment and human health. With the COVID-19 pandemic inducing heavier reliance on electronic gadgets for online activities, this study seeks to explore how the pandemic has affected Philippine e-waste management systems using surveys and interviews involving different stakeholders such as Filipino electronics consumers, electronics manufacturers, junk shop owners, environmentalists, and policy makers. Results have shown that the nine investigated electronics experienced a general decrease in purchase of 30.2% from 2018-2019 to 2020-2021, however, an increase in generated e-waste was projected to be added to the waste backlog. Notably, the lack of public awareness poses the largest problem in managing e-waste. Thus, environmentalists urge public and private bodies to collaborate in creating comprehensive guidelines about the electronic manufacture, consumption, and disposal.

Keywords: WEEEs; e-waste management; Philippines; COVID-19 pandemic; environmental impact; human health; electronic consumption; electronic manufacture; electronic disposal; environmentalists; end-of-life assessment; e-waste generation; e-waste legislation; microorganisms.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.145032

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2025 Vol.36 No.4, pp.491 - 507

Received: 23 May 2022
Accepted: 08 Mar 2023
Published online: 17 Mar 2025 *

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