China

History, Problems, and Progress in E Waste Recycling In-Country

At present, China is not only a large consumption nation of electrical products, but also a largest importer of e-waste. Guiyu, China, is the last stop for discarded TVs, cell phones, batteries, computer monitors, and other types of electronic waste.

Several problems and barriers in China’s e-waste recycling industry:
(a) illegal e-waste import from developed countries; (b) the booming development of China’s informal recycling sectors; (c) informal disposal leading to serious environmental problems and human health impacts; (d) formal companies facing with the problems of severe lack of e-waste; (e) the morbidity of China’s regulatory and legal system.

As they process e-waste, workers—who are women and children—are directly exposed to lead, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, and other toxic chemicals, many that present development risks.

E-Wasters Services and Special Practices In-Country

UNDP China worked with internet company Baidu and developed a smartphone application called “Baidu Recycle”. The app helps users price and recycle their electronic products by introducing nearby legitiamte e-waste pick-up services, helping streamline the recycling process and cut down ‘informal recycling stations’.