Electronics Makers Launch E-Waste Recycling Programs in China

With over 70% of the world’s electronic waste discarded in China, both non-profit and profit-motivated e-waste recycling programs have recently launched to address the problem / business opportunity.

The Computer Recycling Programme in Hong Kong is a non-profit initiative undertaken by computer equipment suppliers who are at the heart of the electronics supply chain. With the support of the Hong Kong government’s Environmental Protection Department and local environmental groups, the program is jointly funded and organized by 20 local and international computer equipment suppliers, including some big names: Microsoft, Canon, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Philips, etc.

The initiative will start by placing over 60 public collection points for electronics throughout Hong Kong along with providing collection services for over 600 partnering public and private estates and commercial buildings. The target for the first 2 years is to recover 50,000 items of computer equipment. The plan is to donate 10% of the better quality, re-usable equipment to charity, while the rest is safely recycled.

In Mainland China, e-waste collection initiatives have not been terribly successful to date, typically due to a lack of public knowledge. For example, the Shanghai Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment Company reportedly receives around 10 calls per day for e-waste submission.

In contrast to non-profit and government initiatives, some companies are looking at the tremendous amount of e-waste in China as a business opportunity. Last week saw the creation of a profit motivated e-waste recycling facility in Suzhou, China. Fuji Xerox has invested over USD 6 million into the facility, which will collect printers, photocopiers and printers and convert them into new raw materials. The plan for the first year is to recycle 4,000 pieces of equipment and 120,000 printer cartridges. Panasonic is also reportedly following the sector closely and considering their own facility.

It will be interesting to see which approach – non-profit, public service or profit motivated – will have a greater effect in reducing e-waste in China.