Driving factors of e-waste recycling rate in 30 European countries: new evidence using a panel quantile regression of the EKC hypothesis coupled with the STIRPAT model

Abstract

Recycling of e-waste (waste electrical and electronic equipment) represents an important abatement of pressure on the environment, but recycling rates are still low. This study builds on common environmental economics approaches to identify the main driving forces of the e-waste recycling rate. The environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis was applied in the context of the STIRPAT (stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence and technology) model to analyze data from 30 European countries over the period 2008–2018. Panel quantile regression was conducted to determine the relationship between e-waste recycling rate and economic growth, population, population density, energy intensity, energy efficiency, credit to private sector and e-waste collected.