This study focused on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) that is incorrectly disposed of in residual waste bins. An analysis of public behaviour, motivation and general knowledge on WEEE management was undertaken in Southampton, England. All respondents were members of the People's Panel run by Southampton City Council. The potential monetary value that could be secured via the resale of WEEE that could be repaired was estimated. The value was calculated for three scenarios – low, middle and high for the years 2020, 2025 and 2030. Carbon footprints were calculated for four disposal routes to enable a comparison of the three scenarios. Analysis of the survey shows that respondents’ knowledge about WEEE management is deficient. The survey results highlighted a high level of confusion regarding correct identification and management of WEEE and a perception that collection services are inconvenient. The incorrect disposal of WEEE is costly; the potential resale value of WEEE disposed of in UK residual waste bins could be as much as £196–215 million by 2030. Reducing the quantity of WEEE entering UK landfills, including WEEE incorrectly disposed via the residual waste stream, via reuse and recycling could allow total emission reductions of between 312 and 344 Mt CO₂e by 2030. Incinerating WEEE also leads to carbon savings, however at the cost of losing recyclable materials and critical metals. The correct capture of this waste stream would therefore generate significant economic, environmental and resource benefits nationally and globally. The study has also highlighted the crucial need for raising public awareness about WEEE management and indicated that kerbside collection services for WEEE would probably be beneficial and popular.

这项研究的重点是废弃电气和电子设备（WEEE），这些电气设备未正确处理在剩余的废物箱中。在英格兰南安普敦进行了有关WEEE管理的公众行为，动机和常识的分析。所有受访者都是南安普敦市议会主持的人民小组成员。通过转售可修复的WEEE可以保证的潜在货币价值被估算。该值是针对2020、2025和2030年的低，中和高三种情况计算的。计算了四种处置路线的碳足迹，以便比较这三种情况。对调查的分析表明，受访者对WEEE管理的知识不足。调查结果突显了对正确识别和管理WEEE以及对收集服务不便的看法的高度困惑。WEEE的不正确处置成本高昂；到2030年，在英国残余废物箱中处置的WEEE的潜在转售价可能高达196-2.15亿英镑。减少进入英国垃圾掩埋场的WEEE数量，包括通过残余废物流，再利用和回收利用而被错误处置的WEEE允许总排放量减少312至344 Mt CO到2030年达到₂ e。焚化WEEE还可以节省碳，但是以损失可回收材料和重要金属为代价。因此，正确收集这些废物流将在国家和全球范围内产生重大的经济，环境和资源效益。该研究还强调了提高公众对WEEE管理意识的迫切需求，并指出WEEE的路边收集服务可能会是有益和受欢迎的。