Abstract：
In the Maldives, the contribution of the informal sector to e-waste management is significant as a formal e-waste management system is not yet established. The opportunities for advancing the circular economy in the Maldives\' e-waste sector rely on the possibility of its formalization. This study aimed to examine the current and anticipated situations of e-waste management in the Greater Malé Region of the Maldives, with a specific focus on formalizing the informal sector. Interviews and questionnaire-based surveys were conducted followed by statistical analysis of the data. The t-test performed for the consumer survey data (n = 202) suggests that formalization encourages consumers to engage with the informal sector, resulting in increased resource recovery. Thematic analysis of interviews conducted with both formal and informal sector stakeholders (n = 17) revealed that the informal sector plays a substantial role in managing e-waste. It also underscored the need for government assistance to enhance safety and productivity in this sector. Various opportunities and challenges for establishing a circular economy in the country were identified, such as the rise in e-waste generation, the presence of an active informal workforce, the lack of sufficient government support, and prevailing stereotypes among consumers regarding informal workers. These findings provide a fresh perspective on the solutions for waste management in the Maldives and open the door to further explore the significance of the informal sector and feasible formalization initiatives. This study could contribute to the literature on the role of the informal sector in waste management in the Maldives and other small island developing states.
摘要：
在马尔代夫,由于尚未建立正式的电子废物管理系统，非正规部门对电子废物管理的贡献很大。马尔代夫电子垃圾行业发展循环经济的机会取决于其正规化的可能性。本研究旨在审查马尔代夫大马累地区电子废物管理的现状和预期情况，特别侧重于非正规部门的正式化。进行了访谈和问卷调查，然后对数据进行统计分析。对消费者调查数据进行的t检验(n=202)表明，形式化鼓励消费者与非正规部门接触，导致资源回收增加。对正式和非正式部门利益相关者进行的访谈的主题分析（n=17）表明，非正式部门在管理电子废物方面发挥着重要作用。它还强调需要政府援助，以提高该部门的安全和生产力。确定了在该国建立循环经济的各种机遇和挑战，例如电子废物产生的增加，活跃的非正式劳动力的存在，缺乏足够的政府支持，以及消费者对非正规工人的普遍刻板印象。这些发现为马尔代夫的废物管理解决方案提供了新的视角，并为进一步探索非正规部门和可行的正规化举措的重要性打开了大门。这项研究可以为有关马尔代夫和其他小岛屿发展中国家非正规部门在废物管理中的作用的文献做出贡献。
