Sustainability in (engineering) education through reclaiming and reusing electronic components from e-waste: a last decade research review

• Published in: International journal of sustainability in higher education Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 181 - 198
• Main Authors: Nikoloudakis, Nikolaos, Rangoussi, Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 02.01.2025; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: 21st century; Colleges & universities; Conferences (Gatherings); Construction engineering; Cooperative Learning; Curricula; Design; Distance Education; Educational Change; Educational Methods; Educational Quality; Educational Technology; Electronic components; Electronic Equipment; Electronic waste; Engineering education; Engineers; Environmental Education; Experiential Learning; Geographic Distribution; Higher education; Influence of Technology; Informal Education; Intervention; Laboratory Training; Learning; Literature reviews; Predominantly White Institutions; Rating Scales; Recycling; Science Instruction; Skills; Stakeholders; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Systematic review; Evaluation; e-Waste; Reclaiming; WEEE; Electronic components; Educational intervention; Engineering education; Reusing; Domains of learning; Education; Sustainability; Recycling; Systematic literature review
• ISSN: 1467-6370; 1758-6739
• DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-09-2023-0405

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the e-waste aspect of sustainability in education, with a specific interest in engineering education. Specifically, it focuses on recycling through reclaiming electronic components from e-waste and reusing them in repairs or in the design and construction of new devices. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review is performed according to the PRISMA methodology. In total, 27 articles are analysed as to publication parameters, characteristics and evaluation of educational interventions on e-waste and evaluation results across major domains of learning (cognitive, affective and 21st century skills). Findings The reviewed subject is under-research; publications are rare and mostly in conference proceedings. The majority of interventions take place at university level, in face-to-face mode, using a practical approach in hands-on labs. Educational methods draw from modern, learner-centred pedagogies such as collaborative learning and constructionism. Topics focus on innovative design and construction, while interventions tend to become embedded in engineering curricula/courses. Evaluation of learners’ gains across domains of learning is rare and follows informal procedures that shake the reliability of results. Domains other than the cognitive are scarcely and subjectively evaluated. Originality/value Contrary to other aspects of sustainability, the aspect of e-waste has not been reviewed. The applied, hands-on approach and the analytic, synthetic, collaboration and creativity skills it requires are all much valued in education. The current review, therefore, comes to inform, inspire and guide educators and researchers in planning and implementing activities on this subject.