Abstract
In China, the use and obsolescence of both electronic and electrical equipment have increased rapidly in recent years. China has also begun to take measures to cope with this problem since it began experiencing a rapid process of industrialization and urbanization in the 1990s. In this paper, the profile of the electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) problem in China is depicted from such aspects as domestic e-waste and imported e-waste, along with their recycling systems, policies, and regulations. Based on statistics of the consumption of major household appliances and personal computers, a forecast is made of the numbers of obsolete major household appliances and personal computers. The results show that currently the number of electrical and electronic products in use in China is tremendous. An investigation on household appliances and personal computers in Beijing was made to assess the use and obsolescence of these products. Also, the legal issues relating to e-waste in China are summarized, and these will be the juristic foundation for the solution of e-waste problems.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Y Nie D Niu (1999) ArticleTitleThe actuality and countermeasures of the recycling of used household appliances in China (in Chinese) Sci Technol Househ Electr Appliance 6 25–27
Y Zhang (2002) ArticleTitleHow to establish the law on household appliances recycling (in Chinese) Sci Technol Househ Electr Appliance 5 11–13
Silicon Valley Toxic Coalition (2001) Poison PCs and toxic TVs: California's biggest environmental crisis that you've never heard of
The Basel Action Network and Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (2002) Exporting harm: The high-tech trashing of Asia
The European Parliament and Council (2003) Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Official J Eur Union
The European Parliament and Council (2003) Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Official J Eur Union
Y Cai B Jiang (2002) ArticleTitleReuse of used household appliances in Taiwan (in Chinese) China Resour Compr Util 8 28–31
Department of Environmental Science and Science, Tsinghua University (2004) Investigation of Japanese electric and electronic waste management. Beijing
NEPSI (2002) National Electronics Product Stewardship dialogue achieves milestone: stakeholders agree on financing approach for management of used electronics
China Infobank Survey (2004) http://www.bjinfobank.com/IrisBin
CJW Granger (1980) Forecasting in business and economics Academic New York
H Jones BC Twiss (1978) Forecasting technology for planning decisions Macmillan London
Y Nie (2003) ArticleTitleRecycling and disposal of e-wastes in China (in Chinese) Recycl Reutil Nonferr Metal 12 11–13
Department of Anthropology, Sun Yat-sen University and Greenpeace (2003) Anthropologic investigation report on e-waste dismantling activities in Shantou Guiyu. Guangzhou
F Wei (2003) ArticleTitleThe actuality of recyclable resources import and analysis of typical industry in China Recycl Reutil Nonferr Metal 9 11–14
Beijing Zhongse Recycling Metal Research Institute and Zhejiang Jiaxing School (2001) Report of investigation: Environmental impact analysis and forecasting on metal recycling in Yangtze River delta. Beijing
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, J., Tian, B., Liu, T. et al. Status quo of e-waste management in mainland China. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 8, 13–20 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-005-0144-3
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-005-0144-3