REVERSE LOGISTICS: A CASE STUDY ABOUT THE DISPOSAL OF ELECTRO-ELECTRONIC WASTE IN SÃO JOÃO DO POLÊSINE – RS

Purpose: The research aims to identify the destination of electronic waste in the municipality of São João do Polêsine – Rio Grande do Sul. Methods: A closed questionnaire was applied using the Likert scale – multiple choice questions, with the aim of analyzing and identifying the needs in dealing with electronic waste in private organizations in the municipality. Regarding the method, the research was characterized as an exploratory-descriptive study with a quantitative approach with companies associated with ACISAT – (Association of Commerce, Industry, Services, Agriculture and Tourism), which has 35 (thirty-five) affiliated companies. Results and discussion: The main results show that there is already a great diversity of electrical and electronic waste used in the municipality, since they are involved in everything from administrative to hospital activities and that the municipal Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management will collaborate with the construction of the reality of policies on WEEE. Implications of the research: The limitations of the study are based on the superficiality of the quantitative data related to companies associated with ACISAT, which do not allow for a more meaningful analysis in order to identify the challenges faced daily in waste management. Originality/value: the knowledge acquired in this research offers important information about environmental management and sustainability in the region, in addition to providing insights into possible improvements to existing reverse logistics systems. It is also possible to identify challenges and opportunities related to the correct disposal of electronic waste, contributing to the development of more efficient and environmentally responsible public policies and practices. Furthermore, the research can serve as a basis for future research and studies in other regions, promoting the dissemination of knowledge and the search for more sustainable solutions.


INTRODUCTION
With globalization, the emergence of innovative technologies has been growing exponentially.This situation has required government motivations for true consumption, as such technologies end up being quickly inserted into society's consumption list.Thus, cell phones, computers and other electronic equipment occupied a place of great accessibility, making it viable for consumers to acquire such tools.The aforementioned easier access to technologies is linked to the daily development of new products (NASCIMENTO et al. 2021).
Currently, there is greater publicity in what permeates the social responsibility and sustainability of organizations, however, practice does not resemble theory.The exercise of reducing the impacts of attitudes harmful to nature is not observed in Brazilian society on a daily basis, whether by people or companies that should have this awareness (ALMEIDA; NEUMANN; SANCHES, 2022).
According to Lima, Fernandes and Amâncio-Vieira (2020), electronic waste is a problem for the government, companies, society and educational organizations in their multiple segments, which need to adopt an attitude regarding the total cycle of these products.expressed in the standards expressed by the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards -ABNT.On the other hand, the National Solid Waste Policy -PNRS (Law 12,305/2010) established that importers, manufacturers, traders and distributors of electronic items need to implement and structure reverse logistics systems, which aim to return these items later to the consumer for use.it, and this process must be carried out separately from the public urban cleaning service (BRASIL, 2010a).3 The appropriate disposal of electronic waste after its useful life, through reverse logistics, makes it possible to reduce the amount of inappropriate disposal and increases the promotion of material recovery (PAULUS; LUZ, 2020).This entire process contributes to the circular economy, closing the economic cycle, by extracting the waste from its disposal site and sending it to the factory (GARCIA, KISSIMOTO, 2017).The purpose of Reverse Logistics (LR) is to manage the flows of products after their use by the consumer, guiding the appropriate return of these used products and providing them with due reuse, destination and recycling (OLIVEIRA et al. 2020).
In view of the above, it is essential that consumers are sensitized and made aware of the causes that inadequate disposal brings to the environment, and how taking a new stance is essential for this situation to be reversed.Ecological awareness and environmental education are the knowledge that each person has regarding the relevance of caring for the environment, education is what contributes to the creation of ecologically correct behaviors and habits that contribute to the conservation of the environment (ROSSINI; NASPOLINI , 2017).Considering the exposed propositions, the present study analyzed the perception of electronic waste disposal practices by private organizations in the municipality of São João do Polêsine -Rio Grande do Sul, diagnosing the positive and negative points in the handling of electronic waste by of private organizations.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS), established by Law no.12,305 of August 2, 2010, was regulated by Decree no. the integrated management and management of solid waste, including hazardous waste, the responsibilities of generators and public authorities and the applicable economic instruments (article 1 of Law no.12,305 of 2010).Among the purposes of the PNRS, it is worth highlighting those that are relevant to the Recycling of Electronic Waste (WEEE) (Article 7 of Law no.12,305 of 2010).
From this perspective, the main objective observed is to promote the recycling industry by encouraging the use of raw materials and inputs derived from recyclable and recycled materials.These derivatives can be characterized, based on the principles of the PNRS, as economic and social value goods, generating income and promoting citizenship (Article 6, VIII, of Law No. 12,305 of 2010).
The term "waste electrical and electronic equipment", whose abbreviation is WEEE, from the English Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), appears to be the most used in the international environment in the scientific and technical sphere, being used even in the Directives of European Community that deal with the topic (GHIZONI, 2017).The waste referred to by the term WEEE comes from equipment such as: cell phones, computers, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, tablets, televisions, printers, among others.All these electronic devices have this definition because they depend on electric currents, batteries or magnetic fields for their operation (ABNT, 2013).
In 2012 alone, 48,894 kt of WEEE were generated in the world, of which 712,700 tons in Brazil, an average of 3.58 kg per population per year, with the estimate that by 2033, the country will reach 1 million tons.In Latin America, Brazil is the largest generator of WEEE, with 1.5 million tons per year.This can be explained by their low degradability capacity, high appreciation of the electronics industry and the high labor value of these products in industrialized countries, meaning that many consumers prefer to buy a new electronic rather than repair the one they already have (FEAM, 2009 ;UN, 2015;BALDÉ et al. 2017).
Conceptualizing the dimensions of the study and its indicators, the environmental dimension brings the aspects that contribute to the reduction in the number of WEEE generated.In their first indicator "Volume of WEEE generated per month", Panizzon, Reichester and Sneider (2017) pointed out that the main WEEE generated in almost two decades are those from information and telecommunications institutions, totaling 48.2%.
The second largest generator of WEEE are household appliances (14.4%), followed by monitoring materials (13.3%), electrical and electronic tools (10.9%) and consumer equipment (9.8%).Along this path, considering the types of WEEE identified, this dimension will be used to evaluate the generation per month, collaboratingwith an understanding of the measures that can contribute to the disposal of these materials (PANIZZON, REICHESTER AND SNEIDER, 2017).
In the economic dimension, the factors that influence the reduction of WEEES and their disposal in dumps and landfills were attributed.Starting with the "Percentage of the budget allocated to WEEE management", through the Intermunicipal Consortium of the Central Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, the amount of State financial resources on WEEE disposal policies will be verified, contributing to the understanding of public investment to contain the disposal of this waste in landfills (LUIZ, 2018).
Related to public investment, jobs generated in the WEEE sector is an indicator made available by the Intermunicipal Consortium of the Central Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, which contributes to evaluating the return on investments on the State's WEEE management and the number of people intended for this work (LIMA; AZEVEDO; MARTINS, 2018).
Considering public policies -actions that collaborate with the reuse of WEEE, selective collection will be evaluated to understand how much this state policy contributes to reducing the impacts of WEEE on the environment (PEREIRA et al. 2015;TELLES;BARCIA;VEIGA , 2020).Along this path, reverse logistics, the second public policy indicator in this study, seeks, through reuse, to increase the time of use of products.Thus, it will be evaluated how reverse logistics is being carried out in the region and what the results are (LIMA; AZEVEDO; MARTINS, 2018).
Recycling also stands out in this dimension which, unlike reuse, seeks to recover used and discarded materials, to contribute as raw materials for new products (DIAS et al. 2018).Very important, the Municipal Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management will collaborate with the construction of the reality of policies on WEEE, based on the Municipal Plan, to analyze the specific actions of the public administration on solid waste, specifically, WEEE (TELLES ; BARCIA; VEIGA, 2020).
Bringing the social dimension, programs related to the management of WEEE in society are essential to help with the incorrect disposal of these materials.The Cooperative of recyclable collectors supported by the municipality, collaborates with the understanding of employability and actions supported by the State, the cooperative will be analyzed, to present its results on the reuse of WEEE (SOTO, 2011).On the other hand, the Cooperatives of recyclable collectors not supported by the municipality, collaborate with the results regarding the reuse of WEEE, with the difference that they are supported by the State (SANTOS, 2012).
Environmental education programs in the community are also an important indicator, and will be evaluated, as they help to improve the disposal of WEEE, given that this must be an action that involves the collaboration of the entire society (BRASIL, 2018;BEHRENDM;COUSIN;GALIAZZ, 2018).Furthermore, the Generation of WEEE in Brazil will provide information on the amount of waste generated in the country, which is essential to understand the actions and whether they are being effective in reducing WEEE (SANTANA; ELABRAS-VEIGA, 2017).
The indicators in the table below comprise the measurement aspects of the Electronic Waste Policy in São João do Polêsine.Each aspect was divided into four indicators and, for each indicator, at least three variables.The formation of questions in the questionnaires, which will be made available to the sample, will be influenced by these indicators.This interference occurs to better direct the issues, understanding their variables.The measurement indicators were determined by the conceptual framework, associated with the respective variables and dimensions, accompanied by the indication of a theoretical framework, bringing the originality of the research, organized as follows: 6

METHODOLOGY
The present study is a descriptive research, which aims to expand knowledge related to a specific situation and describe how the process of discarding electronic waste occurs in organizations, as it will aim to identify how the treatment occurs of electronic waste in the municipality of São João do Polêsine.Regarding the approach to the problem, the research is quantitative, which is defined by Michel (2005) as a method that uses quantification by collecting information, using percentages, averages, among others.This definition corresponds to the case study, which will feature a closed questionnaire that will provide percentage data to collaborate with the results of the study.

Data Collection Procedures
For the research, data were collected through a multiple-choice questionnaire, with the aim of verifying whether the interviewees had knowledge about this waste, as well as access to collection points to correctly dispose of electronic waste.The data was collected through the Google Forms platform.The identity of those surveyed was preserved and the information was treated confidentially.This research took place in private organizations in São João do Polêsine, in member companies of ACISAT -(Association of Commerce, Industry, Services, Agriculture and Tourism), which today has 35 (thirty-five) affiliated companies.
The municipality of São João do Polêsine is located in the central region of Vale do Jacuí, 45 kilometers away from Santa Maria and 280 kilometers from Porto Alegre, forming part of the municipalities of the Fourth Colony of Italian Immigration of Rio Grande do Sul.Emancipated in 1992 , has its economic base in agriculture, and according to data from the 2010 Census, the municipality has a territorial area of 85.2 km², a demographic density of 30.94 inhabitants/km² and a population of 2,635 people, with a predominance of Italian origin (IBGE , 2022).Data were collected through a multiple-choice questionnaire, with the aim of verifying whether the interviewees had knowledge about this waste, as well as access to collection points to correctly dispose of electronic waste.Managers with more than 12 months of experience in the company were interviewed.

Results Analysis Procedures
Data analysis was carried out based on information collected through the multiplechoice questionnaire.The data were tabulated using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science) program and the presentation was made together with the discussion of the results obtained.Therefore, the study, understood as quantitative, was analyzed using statistical software, allowing the degree of reliability to be analyzed and the sample studied to be described.According to Richardson (1999, p. 70), "quantitative analysis of results is characterized by the use of quantification, both in the modalities of collecting information and in its treatment through statistical techniques, such as quantification in percentages".
Quantitative analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and factor analysis.Descriptive statistics relates to a set of methods that aim to summarize and describe sample data (FREUND, 2006).Thus, the first stage of data analysis was the descriptive statistics of the variables with the purpose of characterizing the sample profile and verifying the beneficiaries' perception in relation to each of the factors.
In the next stage, exploratory factor analysis was carried out.According to Hair et al. (2009), multivariate analysis is related to statistical techniques that simultaneously analyze multiple measurements on the research object.Exploratory factor analysis is used as the main technique to define the determining factors of the research.Factor analysis addresses the problem of how to analyze the structure of interrelationships or covariances existing between variables, defining a series of common underlying dimensions, the so-called factors (HAIR et al., 2009), that is, factor analysis is a technique developed to synthesize information by combining variables, reducing them and obtaining factors.
Finally, the means, medians and standard deviation of the factors associated with the respective variables were calculated.Remembering that the mean (Me) is calculated by adding all the values in a set of data and dividing by the number of elements in this set.The median represents the central value of a set of data and the standard deviation is a measure that expresses the degree of dispersion of a set of data, that is, the standard deviation indicates how uniform a set of data is.

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
This chapter was divided into five sections, with the first part presenting the study of affiliated companies, through descriptive statistics, the profile of the sample, indicated through the variables gender, age, education and length of experience in the position.In the second section, we sought to identify the factors, also called constructs, which have a correlation between the indicators proposed in the theoretical framework.We sought to analyze the reliability of the data and, together with descriptive statistics, related the averages related to the indicators.

Profile of Respondents
The research was carried out in private organizations in São João do polêsine, in member companies of ACISAT -(Association of Commerce, Industry, Services, Agriculture and Tourism), which today has 35 (thirty-five) affiliated companies.Therefore, data were collected through a questionnaire with multiple choice questions, with the aim of verifying whether the interviewees had knowledge about this waste, as well as access to collection points to correctly dispose of electronic waste.To this end, a questionnaire was applied to 35 companies, members of ACISAT, interviewing managers with more than 12 months of experience in the company.In order to better understand the profile of the research participants, Table 1 was prepared, using the SPSS software, which corresponds to the descriptive analysis.The profile of the beneficiaries interviewed presented the following characteristics: more than half of the respondents were female (51.2%), aged between 30 and 39 years old and between 40 and 49 years old, the number of respondents remained the same (31.4), the predominant higher education education (54.3%), and the length of experience in the position had the highest percentage of up to 5 years (51.4).As for age and length of experience, these were recoded into five classes, based on identified quartiles.

Factor Analysis
To analyze the data, according to the questionnaire applied, a scale with 22 questions was used, regarding electronic waste (WEEE).Based on data with satisfactory coefficients, the reliability of the calculated adjustment was verified by applying the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test.This test is characterized as a statistical procedure that allows identifying the quality of correlations between variables, in order to proceed with factor analysis (PESTANA, GAGEIRO, 2003).Therefore, the test was used to indicate the degree of susceptibility or adjustment of the data to factor analysis, that is, measuring the degree of confidence when processing the data using this multivariate method (HAIR et al., 2009).More specifically, convergent validity was ratified, given the KMO index (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) greater than 0.7 of adequacy with the sampling, which measures the adequacy of using factor analysis for the respective base of data.Kaiser (1974) indicates that values greater than 0.5 are acceptable.
In order to evaluate the reliability of the factors generated through factor analysis, Cronbach's Alpha was used.Reliability indicates the degree of internal consistency between the multiple indicators of a factor, referring to the extent to which the same measuring instrument reproduces coherent results from different measurements (HAIR et al., 2009).According to the literature, for the factor to have acceptable results, it is recommended that it be greater than 0.6, indicating the internal consistency of the factors (HAIR et al., 2010).Then, in order to test the reliability of the component variables of each dimension, the Cronbach's Alpha technique was used, which reached a result of 0.903, being higher than the minimum value of 0.6.
Then, the grouping of factors based on the questions was validated in the matrix of rotational components, which formed 6 factors.Therefore, according to the questionnaire applied, six variables were used, comprising questions 1, 2, 3, 8, 10 and 12, which were used to validate the Environmental management construct.
For the second construct, the following questions were used, according to the rotated matrix of components: 5, 6 and 7, comprising the construct related to Economy.Subsequently, the following questions were grouped for the third construct: 4, 9, 14, 16, 16, and 17 analyzing the Public Policies construct.For the fourth construct, the following questions were grouped: 11 and 13, which comprised the Social construct.

Validation of constructs
To validate the REE management construct, the factor loading was analyzed, all of which presented a value above 0.5, that is, all coefficients were relevant, with no need to gradually eliminate them from the calculation.This means that the greater the factor loading, the greater its correlation with a given factor.Loadings greater than 0.50 are considered practically significant, and above 0.70 indicate a well-defined structure, being "... the goal of any factor analysis" (HAIR et al., 2009).
Therefore, based on data with satisfactory coefficients, the reliability of the calculated adjustment was verified assuming values within the limit.More specifically, convergent validity was confirmed, given the KMO index greater than 0.7 of adequacy with the sampling, which had a value of 0.859.Then, in order to test the reliability of the component variables of each dimension, the Cronbach's Alpha technique was used, which reached a result of 0.917, being higher than the minimum value of 0.6.
To validate the economic construct, public and social policies, the same steps were also followed, in which the factorial load was analyzed, in which all presented values above 0.5, that is, all coefficients were relevant, not making it necessary to gradually eliminate the calculation.
Therefore, based on data with satisfactory coefficients, the reliability of the calculated adjustment was verified assuming values within the limit.More specifically, convergent validity was ratified, given the KMO index greater than 0.7 of adequacy with the sampling, which the value was 0.718 for the Economic construct.Then, in order to test the reliability of the component variables of each dimension, the Cronbach's Alpha technique was used, which reached a result of 0.809, being higher than the minimum value of 0.6.
To validate the public policy construct, convergent validity was ratified, given the KMO index greater than 0.7 of adequacy with the sampling, which the value was 0.722.Then, in order 10 to test the reliability of the component variables of each dimension, the Cronbach's Alpha technique was used, which reached a result of 0.693, being higher than the minimum value of 0.6.
For the validation of the Social construct, convergent validity was also verified, given the KMO index greater than 0.7 of adequacy with the sampling, which the value was 0.734.Then, in order to test the reliability of the component variables of each dimension, the Cronbach's Alpha technique was used, which reached a result of 0.639, being higher than the minimum value of 0.6.
In order to better understand the respondents' opinions regarding the factors investigated, the frequencies of the mean, median and standard deviation were calculated for each construct.Considering the response scale that can range from 1 (totally disagree) to 5 (totally agree), it was noted that the four factors had a low mean and median, with respondents in the Public Policies factor having scores close to disagree.Therefore, some aspects need to be improved in these factors.The results found are similar to those of Rigrist (2015), in which there is practically no information available for the collection process and adequate disposal of waste, nor agreements signed between governments, companies, cooperatives and consumers related to this commitment.
It is noted that it is necessary to institutionalize and disseminate standards to managers and employees to improve WEEE management.This information corroborates the study by author Santos (2020), in which in his studied region, WEEE recycling is also in the structuring phase, so that some normative and technical challenges need to be overcome in order to guarantee the establishment of reverse logistics.This fact is also verified in the research by Watanabe and Candiani (2019) in which in Brazil there is a need for greater applicability of regulations regarding the management of this waste.It is a challenge to operationalize appropriate practices for WEEE management, lacking the implementation of a reverse logistics system, environmental education and social inclusion of cataphores.
The authors Touboulic, & McCarthy, (2020) corroborate the composition of electrical and electronic equipment, which denotes certain categories, which even when generated in small quantities, contribute significantly to the total mass of WEEE generated.This result may be associated with the study by Panizzon, Reichert and Schneider (2017), in which they highlight the importance of the final destination of the waste's useful life, as there is a wide variety of categories of WEEE, the correct destination is essential for the process of adequate recycling.
In the report on the integrated municipal plan for solid waste, from the Municipality of Paulo de Faria (2013), it indicates a percentage of 2% of the municipal budget for public cleaning services.It is noted that city halls have a percentage budget for cleaning, but do not contain a specific budget for reverse logistics management or waste collection and disposal services.Combined with this fact, the high cost of environmental policies is another complicating element, given that waste management covers a significant portion of the municipalities' budget (ABRELPE, 2017).
These costs can have significant impacts when taking into account the investment required for consumer awareness campaigns regarding the importance of recycling WEEE, carried out by companies.These budgetary issues must be analyzed taking into account issues of the costs involved, making it necessary to evaluate the economic methods for operationalizing a WEEE disposal project (SIGRIST, et al, 2015).
The answer corroborates what is stated in the theoretical framework, since budgetary limitations for environmental issues are a reality present in the routine of small municipalities.This finding reinforces the importance of public policies that encourage management with waste collection and disposal services (LUIZ, 2018).The research by Silva, et al (2015), in which there is a prospect of expanding a project focused on generating employment and income, with the objective of setting up a cooperative for collectors of electronic products, making it possible to improve income and quality of life of self-employed workers.Combined with this fact, according to Nascimento, et al (2021), job creation is an important benefit of reverse logistics, however there are some barriers that make implementation difficult, as companies need to have social, economic value and value for the customer, which is not an easy task, as some companies in Brazil do not value sustainability.
The authors Watanabe and Candiani (2019) reinforce the results of this research, regarding the reduction of WEEE.In its field of study, which included the University, there is a waste reuse disposal center, where the benefits are numerous, such as: reduction of waste from inappropriately discarded electrical and electronic equipment, recycling of materials, environmental education, support to social entities and recycling institutions, partnerships with waste picker cooperatives and application of the PNRS.The research by Nascimento, et al, (2018) corroborates the results of the study, in which in their study location, which included the state of Piauí, there is no specific policy for the treatment and correct disposal of WEEE, requiring capital to suffer the consequences caused by the inadequate disposal of electronic waste in the environment.Associated with this study, the results of Silva (2015) point to a similarity in the findings, as there is also an absence.

FINAL CONSIDERATION
Considering the response scale that can range from 1 (totally disagree) to 5 (totally agree), it was noted that the four factors had a low mean and median, with respondents in the Public Policies factor having scores close to disagree.Therefore, some aspects need to be improved in these factors.
The results found are similar to those of Rigrist (2015), in which there is practically no information available for the collection process and adequate disposal of waste, nor agreements signed between governments, companies, cooperatives and consumers related to this commitment.
It is noted that it is necessary to institutionalize and disseminate standards to managers and employees to improve WEEE management.This information corroborates the study by author Santos (2020), in which in his studied region, WEEE recycling is also in the structuring phase, so that some normative and technical challenges need to be overcome in order to guarantee the establishment of reverse logistics.This fact is also verified in the research by Watanabe and Candiani (2019) in which in Brazil there is a need for greater applicability of regulations regarding the management of this waste.It is a challenge to operationalize appropriate practices for WEEE management, lacking the implementation of a reverse logistics system, environmental education and social inclusion of cataphores.
The authors Touboulic, & McCarthy, (2020) corroborate the composition of electrical and electronic equipment, which denotes certain categories, which even when generated in small quantities, contribute significantly to the total mass of WEEE generated.This result may be associated with the study by Panizzon, Reichert and Schneider (2017), in which they highlight the importance of the final destination of the waste's useful life, as there is a wide variety of categories of WEEE, the correct destination is essential for the process of adequate recycling.
In the report on the integrated municipal plan for solid waste, from the Municipality of Paulo de Faria (2013), it indicates a percentage of 2% of the municipal budget for public cleaning services.It is noted that city halls have a percentage budget for cleaning, but do not contain a specific budget for reverse logistics management or waste collection and disposal services.Combined with this fact, the high cost of environmental policies is another complicating element, given that waste management covers a significant portion of the municipalities' budget (ABRELPE, 2017).
These costs can have significant impacts when taking into account the investment required for consumer awareness campaigns regarding the importance of recycling WEEE, carried out by companies.These budgetary issues must be analyzed taking into account issues of the costs involved, making it necessary to evaluate the economic methods for operationalizing a WEEE disposal project (SIGRIST, et al, 2015).
The answer corroborates what is stated in the theoretical framework, since budgetary limitations for environmental issues are a reality present in the routine of small municipalities.This finding reinforces the importance of public policies that encourage management with waste collection and disposal services (LUIZ, 2018).
The research by Silva, et al (2015), in which there is a prospect of expanding a project focused on generating employment and income, with the objective of setting up a cooperative for collectors of electronic products, making it possible to improve income and quality of life of self-employed workers.Combined with this fact, according to Nascimento, et al (2021), job creation is an important benefit of reverse logistics, however there are some barriers that make implementation difficult, as companies need to have social, economic value and value for the customer, which is not an easy task, as some companies in Brazil do not value sustainability.
The authors Watanabe and Candiani (2019) reinforce the results of this research, regarding the reduction of WEEE.In its field of study, which included the University, there is a waste reuse disposal center, where the benefits are numerous, such as: reduction of waste from inappropriately discarded electrical and electronic equipment, recycling of materials, environmental education, support to social entities and recycling institutions, partnerships with waste picker cooperatives and application of the PNRS.
The research by Nascimento, et al, (2018) corroborates the results of the study, in which in their study location, which included the state of Piauí, there is no specific policy for the treatment and correct disposal of WEEE, requiring capital to suffer the consequences caused by the inadequate disposal of electronic waste in the environment.Associated with this study, the results of Silva (2015) point to a similarity in the findings, as there is also an absence.

Table 1 -
Profile of respondents according to the variables: age, gender, and education and experience in the Reverse Logistics: A Case Study About the Disposal of Electro-Electronic Waste in São João Do Polêsine -RS ___________________________________________________________________________ Rev. Gest.Soc.Ambient.| Miami | v.18.n.4 | p.1-14 | e04552 | 2024.
Would you be able to identify whether there has been a reduction in the number of consumption of electronics, named conscious consumption, in the last 2 years?0.624 10.Is there cooperation between private companies and the public sector to create practices that boost Reverse Logistics practices in the Region?
3. Is the quantity of WEEE generated by the Company during the year in accordance with the size of the institution?0.582 Reverse Logistics: A Case Study About the Disposal of Electro-Electronic Waste in São João Do Polêsine -RS ___________________________________________________________________________ Rev. Gest.Soc.Ambient.| Miami | v.18.n.4 | p.1-14 | e04552 | 2024.9 8. Source: Survey data (2023).