An updated review and conceptual model for optimizing WEEE management in China from a life cycle perspective
Xiaolong Song1,2(), Jingwei Wang1,2, Jianxin Yang3, Bin Lu3
1. WEEE Research Center of Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China 2. Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for WEEE Recycling, Shanghai 201209, China 3. State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
China is now implementing a series of latest regulations on WEEE management.
Website-based collection pattern for WEEE has gradually appeared in China.
Current WEEE management system is focused on centralized disassembly rather than the whole life cycle of WEEE.
A conceptual framework for life cycle management of WEEE is proposed.
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a rapidly growing category of solid waste. China is now facing WEEE problems from both growing domestic generation and illegal imports. Currently, the amount of WEEE formally treated has increased steadily in China. The layout of the formal sector has been basically completed. Meanwhile, by controlling illegal disassembly activities, the informal sector has been gradually transformed to formal one. Beginning with the overview of the WEEE recycling industry in China, this paper first lists the latest progress in WEEE management from such aspects as the new edition of China RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive), the updated WEEE Treatment List, the updated WEEE fund standard, the revised National Hazardous Waste List, and a brand-new plan on extended producer responsibility. In so doing, we elucidate the current challenges on WEEE management in detail: the imbalance between fund levies and subsidies, the gap in the supervision scope, the homogenization of recycling industry and the lack of life cycle approaches. Finally, a conceptual framework for integrated management of WEEE is proposed from a life cycle perspective. Overall, the life cycle management of WEEE includes three aspects: developing life cycle information for decision-making, implementing life cycle engineering with life cycle tools, and improving WEEE legislation based on life cycle thinking. By providing specific operating strategies, this life cycle framework should help to optimize WEEE management in developing countries where legislation is imperfect and the recycling system is relatively immature.
. [J]. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 2017, 11(5): 3.
Xiaolong Song, Jingwei Wang, Jianxin Yang, Bin Lu. An updated review and conceptual model for optimizing WEEE management in China from a life cycle perspective. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2017, 11(5): 3.
Household appliance, mobile phone, waste paper, waste plastic, waste battery, etc.
Wuhan, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Jingmen
KINDCIRCLE (China Recycling Development Co., Ltd.)
Mobile phone, television, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, personal computer
Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen
Ala Environmental Protection (Xinjinqiao)
Television, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, personal computer, small WEEE
Shanghai
XIANGJIAOPI (Huaxin Environmental)
Television, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, personal computer, etc.
Beijing
E-product producer
GREE
Television, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, personal computer
Shijiazhuang, Tianjin, Zhengzhou, Changsha, Wuhu
HUAWEI (old for new)
Mobile phone, tablet
China (on-site service+ mailing)
Lenovo (old for new)
Notebook, mobile phone, tablet, household appliance, camera, etc.
China (on-site service+ mailing)
MEIZU mcycle (old for new)
Mobile phone
Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nanjing
Internet company
Baidu Recycle
Television, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, personal computer, electric fan, mobile phone, tablet
22 cities
AIHUISHOU
Mobile phone, notebook, tablet, household appliance, camera, etc.
China (on-site service+ mailing)
TAOLV
Mobile phone
China (mailing)
Tab.1
Fig.1
Fig.2
Regulations
Effective date
Key points
Issuing division
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Jul. 1, 2016
Propose a compliance management list; Set a conformity assessment system
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) [ 33]
WEEE Treatment List (2014 edition)
Mar. 1, 2016
Extend to 14 categories based on the original 5 categories
NDRC [ 34]
Updated WEEE fund standard
Jan. 1, 2016
Reduce the subsidy for waste television and personal computer Increase the subsidy for waste air conditioners
MF [ 35]
The National Hazardous Waste List (2016 edition)
Aug. 1, 2016
List waste PCB in “900-045-49,” as well as its accompanying components, chips, plug-ins, etc.
MEP [ 36]
The pilot project on extended producer responsibility (EPR) in electronic industry
Jun. 29, 2015
Producer should play a leading role in the design, production, collection and recycling of e-products
MIIT [ 37]
Promotion Plan on EPR Principle
Dec. 25, 2016
Guide producer to carry out eco-design, select secondary materials, and participate in WEEE collection and recycling
Chinese State Council [ 38]
Tab.2
Category
Previous Treatment List
Updated Treatment List
Previous fund standard (CNY)
Updated fund standard (CNY)
Television
√
√
85
60–70
Refrigerator
√
√
80
80
Washing machine
√
√
35
35–45
Air conditioner
√
√
35
130
Personal computer
√
√
85
70
Range hood
╳
√
╳
-
Electric water-heater
╳
√
╳
-
Gas water-heater
╳
√
╳
-
Printer
╳
√
╳
-
Copier
╳
√
╳
-
Fax machine
╳
√
╳
-
Monitor
╳
√
╳
-
Mobile phone
╳
√
╳
-
Single-machine telephone
╳
√
╳
-
Tab.3
Fig.3
Fig.4
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