Achieving a win-win situation by promoting internet recycling of waste electronics and preventing information leakage in a multi-party game

Abstract

With scientific and technological advancements and the diversification of residents’ demands, the pace of electronic product replacement is accelerating, generating a rapidly increasing number of waste electronics. The rapid development of information technologies, such as the Internet, has brought significant opportunities for recycling waste electronics. However, this is hindered by information safety concerns from residents. To achieve a win-win situation of promoting Internet recycling of waste electronics and preventing information leakage, this study performed a game analysis using key stakeholders in the Internet recycling of waste electronics. The game analysis of recycling waste electronics revealed that the lower the personal information leakage, the more residents would participate in recycling. Strict government regulation would increase the credibility of Internet recycling companies in protecting information security. Further, if the government imposed high fines on companies that breach information security, Internet recycling companies would endeavor to protect information security. In conclusion, this study offers policy recommendations and a theoretical basis to achieve a win-win situation of promoting Internet recycling of waste electronics and preventing information leakage from the perspective of stakeholders.

Keywords

• Internet recycling
• Waste electronics
• Tripartite evolutionary game
• Recycling behavior
• Circular economy