Institutional e-waste management: A knowledge, attitude, and perception study among the administrative staff at Mindanao State University, Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines

As institutions continuously rely on electronic devices for their services, the management of electronic waste (e-waste) has become an environmental concern. E-wastes, which comprises electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), is known to be an emerging contaminant and one of the fastest growing waste streams; yet limitedly known. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of the staff in various administrative offices at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) towards institutional e-waste management. Using a descriptive quantitative design, surveys were distributed across university offices to assess the KAP and identify areas for improvement in policy, training, and institutional engagement related to e-waste handling. Results revealed high familiarity with the term “e-waste” (mean = 3.68) and a high awareness of the hazardous substances it contains (mean = 3.82). However, there is limited knowledge about the university’s “take-back” policy (mean = 3.05), and 72.50% of the respondents were unaware of the designated disposal facility. Correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between knowledge and perception (r=0.95), and between knowledge and attitude (r=0.97), implying that those who are informed on e-waste tend to have insights into the risks it poses. Nonetheless, it also indicates that knowledge alone does not ensure responsible practices. The findings highlight the need for a clearer orientation, policy dissemination, and training to strengthen administrative participation in e-waste handling. This study contributes actionable insights for improving MSU-IIT’s waste management systems and advancing institutional sustainability.