Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Reutilization in China

Abstract

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), also called electronic waste or e-waste, the core of “urban mining”, is attracting more and more attention to its pollution control and circular recycling. Hence, we defined WEEE, preliminarily discussed its history in China and pointed out that China has made great achievements in WEEE circular reutilization and pollution control. Meanwhile, we analyzed the four levels of circular WEEE recycling: repair, reuse and remanufacture, waste-to-materials, waste-to-products and waste-to-energy, and also put forward questions during this process. Moving forward, WEEE management will turn to intelligent management targeted on hazardous waste and other pollution, not merely the guidelines. Meanwhile, WEEE technology will transfer to value-added and automated reutilization, not just simple dismantling.