Dear Colleagues,

Environmental and social problems are complex, involving multiple and often conflicting objectives. As a result, most solutions fail to reflect this complexity and end up following a reductionist approach. A well-defined problem might help alleviate the burden this complexity brings while also allowing the generation of more realistic, applicable, and repeatable solutions.

Electronic waste is becoming an increasingly significant environmental issue, with the volume of discarded electronics growing rapidly year after year. This has raised concerns about the impact of electronic waste on the environment, public health, and the economy. While there is no direct link between electronic waste and food, the effects of electronic waste on the environment can have indirect impacts on food production, safety, and supply chains.

One of the primary concerns related to electronic waste is its impact on soil quality. Electronic waste can contain a range of hazardous materials, including heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. When electronic waste is improperly disposed of, these materials can leach into the soil, potentially contaminating crops and livestock. The accumulation of heavy metals in soil can also affect soil fertility, leading to reduced crop yields.

E-waste can also have indirect impacts on food safety. Many electronic devices contain a variety of chemicals that can pose health risks when they enter the environment. These chemicals can accumulate in the food chain, potentially leading to health problems for both animals and humans.

Electronic waste disposal also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which can lead to changes in climate patterns with significant potential impacts on food production, leading to food stress in some regions.

In addition, the cost of dealing with electronic waste is significant, with estimates suggesting that it costs billions of dollars each year to manage electronic waste properly. These costs are often passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for electronic devices.

In sum, the proper management of electronic waste is critical to mitigate these risks and ensure a sustainable future for all.

With this motivation, this volume focuses on the issue from a holistic point of view and aims at investigating the relationship between food and electronic waste cycles.

Studies focusing on creating an organizational, social, financial culture, framed by shared values and beliefs, that consider environmental and social well-being as part of their decision making and analysis process will be considered.

Prof. Dr. Elif Kongar
Dr. Gazi Murat Duman
Dr. Kurt A. Rosentrater
Dr. Askiner Gungor
Guest Editors

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• electronic waste
• e-waste
• sustainability
• social and environmental governance
• food safety
• food security