Extended producer responsibility system in China improves e-waste recycling: Government policies, enterprise, and public awareness

摘要

E-wastes in China are growing dramatically. Since 2009, the Chinese government has continuously issued a series of laws and regulations and established a preliminary e-waste management system based on extended producer responsibility (EPR) principles, so as to protect the environment and improve resource utilization. In this paper, effectiveness of current e-waste management in China is analyzed in detail from the government policy, enterprise and public awareness perspective. Government regulations and amendments of relevant policies, which are consistent with the status to promote the emergence and development of formal e-waste recycling enterprise, are introduced and examined. Chinese current e-waste recycling technology, capacity and equipment are discussed as well as the construction and operation of several leading enterprises and a national industrial park. Chinese people's awareness of e-waste hazards, disposal habits and participation in environmental initiatives are also surveyed to guide the future measures. Promoted by the efforts of the government, enterprises and citizens, Chinese e-waste management has been improving for the past six years and it continues to develop. Finally, potential remaining problems of e-waste management are examined and their possible solutions are proposed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.