Four out of ten Romanians own nonfunctional electronic devices, business study shows

Newsroom 19/10/2010 | 19:26

Almost 40 percent of Romanians from urban areas own electrical and electronic devices that no longer function, shows a research developed by ECOTIC environmental NGO in collaboration with market research company Daedalus Millward Brown.

Thus, it seems thatthe reason why Romanians opt to keep these devices is that they believe they might repair them (33.6 percent of the respondents) or the fact that they do not know what to do with them after they become nonfunctional (41 percent). What’s more, in spite of the fact that 85 percent of Romanians have heard of the green stamp, it is not an important criterion in purchasing a new product. The more relevant such criteria continue to be the product’s brand, post-sale services and market offers.

“The study undertaken this year shows that Romanians have trouble parting with old electronic devices. What’s more, compared to 2008 and 2009, this year’s edition shows a slight increase in the number of those keeping used devices in their own homes or passing them on to others. People still don’t know what their alternatives are and, in a large proportion, are not aware of the negative effects of an inadequate management of the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) on our health and on the environment.”, has stated Valentin Negoita, president of the ECOTIC Association.

Moreover, the study shos that in most homes in urban Romania, the most common electrical and electronic devices are refrigerators (100 percent), irons (99.6 percent), washing machines (98.2 percent), vacuum cleaners (97.2 percent), television sets (99.4 percent), mobile phones (99.4 percent), computers or laptops (91.3 percent). In the smaller localities, with less than 50,000 inhabitants, modern pieces of equipment are more uncommon, as laptops, printers, mp3 players, monitors, air conditioners or home cinema devices.

Compared to 2009, the study shows that the number of laptop and computer owners has increased, while the fixed-line phone is the one that Romanians are most willing to give up on. Regarding the life duration of electronics, it is higher in smaller towns, where people replace devices more rarely.

The questionnaire was conducted on a sample of 1,300 people in towns with over 20,000 inhabitants, between August 20 and September 3, and it has reached its third edition in Romania. It aims to inform Romanians how they can recycle electrical devices and why it is good to do so.

 

Corina Dumitrescu

BR Magazine | Latest Issue

Download PDF: Business Review Magazine March (II) 2024 Issue

The March (II) 2024 issue of Business Review Magazine is now available in digital format, featuring the main cover story titled “BAT DBS Romania Hub: A Vibrant New Office For An Employee-Centric
Newsroom | 27/03/2024 | 17:32
Advertisement Advertisement
Close ×

We use cookies for keeping our website reliable and secure, personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to analyse how our website is used.

Accept & continue