E-waste recycling in Asia: Process classification, environmental effect and knowledge sharing

In order to understand the formal and informal recycling of e-waste in Asia and find the possible improvement, we surveyed the processes of dismantling and recycling of e-waste in detail by site investigations in China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam in 2009-2011 (Philippines in 2010). CRT TV/monitors recycling and precious metal recovery from printed circuit boards were mainly characterized. In most developing countries in Asia, international trade of recyclable resources after dismantling of e-waste would be needed, since the capacities and facilities are limited for precious and non-ferrous metal recovery. In the Philippines, we collected environmental and human samples at the formal and informal recycling sites. Through analysing those samples, we found a serious environmental and human health threat. As a trial for knowledge sharing of informal recycling, we organized the workshop in the Philippines. Future challenge includes economic analysis, knowledge sharing with informal recyclers, and framework establishment contributing improvement of informal recycling.