70% of global e-waste eventually flows to China

Where did the eliminated computer and cell phone go? Recently, a UN report pointed out that about 70% of the world's production of electronic products will eventually become garbage and flow to China. China has become the world's largest electronic "junkyard." E-waste refers to used electronic products such as TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, computers, and mobile phones and their parts and components. Most of these products are produced in China. After "performance" in countries all over the world, they eventually return to China. The relevant UN regulations point out that the United States and other developed countries are prohibited from transferring e-waste to developing countries such as China and Vietnam. Therefore, most e-waste can only enter China through illegal channels. After being processed by informal small workshops, they are eventually sold to major companies such as Foxconn.

The recycling process of small workshops is startling. According to the UN “China’s e-waste” report, many e-waste disposal processes are simple incineration and strong acid soaking. As a result, small workshop workers and the local environment are seriously harmed by toxic heavy metals. Plastic burning powder diffuses in air, soil, and water.

With the efforts of government departments, e-waste is no longer unbridled when it flows into China. However, electronic waste is still a major challenge for China’s economic and social development.