Abstrakt
Consumers across the globe tend to store their small electronic devices when they reach their end of life instead of disposing of them. This is a problem because if end-of-life devices are not recovered from consumers' homes, the devices cannot be re-used or recycled, leading to increased production. We study what motivates consumers to store their end-of-life devices by looking at how storage creates consumer value. Applying a practice-based understanding of value, we find that storage is a social practice that generates value by protecting consumers from four different kinds of risk: practical risks, existential risks, environmental risks, and moral risks. Storage gives consumers a sense of security in their everyday lives and thus generates what we call 'security value'. This notion implies that even though end-of-life devices sit idle in consumers' homes, their value generating capacity remains active. The findings have implications for the role of consumers in reverse logistics strategies for sustainable systems.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Artikelnummer | 5552 |
Tidsskrift | Sustainability |
Vol/bind | 12 |
Udgave nummer | 14 |
Antal sider | 16 |
ISSN | 2071-1050 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - jul. 2020 |