Waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling in China: Practices and strategies

China plays an important role in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE, also known as e-waste) recycling around the world. Over 0.7 million people were employed for e-waste recycling industry in 2007, and 98% in the informal recycling sector. These informal e-waste recycling activities pose significant threats to the environment as well public health. Based on analysis of the current policies and regulations as well as pilot projects for e-waste recycling in China, this paper aims to find out the limitations and challenges of e-waste recycling industry, and the way to overcome them. The strategy of building up an integrated e-waste management and recycling system is discussed.