Circular Economy and E‐Waste Management: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Literature Review (2005–2026)
Abstract
The rapid growth of electronic waste (e‐waste), which reached 62 million tonnes in 2022 and is projected to exceed 82 million tonnes by 2030, alongside increasing critical raw material (CRM) supply pressures and circular economy (CE) policy initiatives, highlights the need for a comprehensive assessment of CE‐e‐waste research. This study presents the largest bibliometric and systematic literature review in the field, analysing 918 peer‐reviewed articles indexed in Scopus between 2005 and 2026. The review integrates scientometric analysis using the Bibliometrix R package, PRISMA 2020 screening procedures, and theory‐driven synthesis through the Antecedents–Decisions–Outcomes (ADO) and Theory–Context–Characteristics–Methodology (TCCM) frameworks. Results reveal a strong annual publication growth rate of 28.25%, indicating rapid expansion of the field. A logistic growth model (K = 2776; peak year = 2028; R 2 = 0.928) suggests that CE‐e‐waste research remains in a pre‐peak growth stage. Research output is dominated by Resources, Conservation and Recycling and Waste Management , while China contributes 68.4% of total publications. Schroeder et al. (2019) is the most influential article, receiving 1344 citations. Keyword analysis identifies a dominant cluster around electronic waste, recycling, and circular economy, while recent thematic developments focus on lithium‐ion battery recycling, blockchain‐enabled traceability, and informal sector integration. The ADO framework identifies 45 sub‐factors and six causal pathways linking regulatory drivers, technological and business decisions, and sustainability outcomes. The TCCM analysis highlights future priorities including theory integration, developing‐country contexts, social equity, emerging technologies, and methodological innovation. The findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers, industry practitioners, and development agencies supporting circular economy transitions.