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Greenpeace intercepts illegal US electronic waste shipment to Hong Kong
“As long as manufacturers fail to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, illegal shipments containing hazardous e-waste, like this one, will continue to find their way to the scrap yards of countries like China,” said LO Sze Ping, Greenpeace China Campaign Director. “In these yards, where rudimentary recycling takes place, human health (2) and the environment are at risk from the cocktail of toxic chemicals released when end-of-life are broken up.”
The import of electronic waste is illegal in mainland China, however legislation in Hong Kong provides loopholes (3) allowing e-waste to enter the country and make its way to scrap yards in mainland China such as in Guiyu of Guangdong Province (4). Without holding the electronic manufacturers responsible for their products including financing and setting up global take back schemes, illegal traders will continue to use loopholes within the legislative system to open the door to this unwelcome trade.'
“Sole responsibility lies with manufacturers of electronics goods. They need first to design out toxics by using safer alternatives, and secondly to take global responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products,” said Martin Hojsik, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner. “Only then we can ensure that the dangerous tide of toxic e-waste does not end up in scrap yards in countries like China.”
Notes to Editor
(1) The Greenpeace report, Toxic Tech: Not in Our Backyard text with a summary version available at:
Summary of Toxic Tech: Not in our Backyard Report
(2) PVC: can be a source of toxic and persistent chemicals when recycled or disposed of (e.g. by incineration or burning). Often requires the use of chemical additives, such as toxic phthalate plasticizers.
- Phthalates: hormone disrupters, some are toxic to reproduction interfering with sexual development in mammals, especially in males.
- Brominated Flame Retardants: can be a source of toxic and persistent brominates chemicals when recycled or disposed of (e.g. by incineration or burning).
- Beryllium: dusts and fumes produced by recycling or processing can lead to chronic beryllium disease (CBD), an incurable debilitating lung disease
(3) According to the Hong Kong Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO). import or export of controlled waste needs authorization from the Environmental Protection Department through a permit. However, Greenpeace discovered that the current control scheme is full of loopholes, which makes Hong Kong a major transit for electronic waste in the region. Loopholes could be found in the 3 steps
Step 1_No clear definition for ‘reuse’, ‘reprocessing’, ‘recycling’, ‘recovery operation’
- Importers or exporters could easily claim their electronic waste are ‘goods’ for recycling and escape from control laid by the WDO.
Step 2: Not all types of electronic waste are under control.
- Frontline officials only pay attention to electronic waste like ‘old batteries’ or ‘cathode ray tubes’, but fail to address the problem caused by other electronic waste, such as printed wiring boards.
Step 3_Loose definition of ‘contamination’
- Lacking of a clear definition on ‘contamination’ under the Ordinance leaves a large proportion of electronic waste containing hazardous materials uncontrolled in Hong Kong.
(4) Guiyu of Guangdong Province is the main centre of e-waste scrapping in China.
Further contact information for reporters to get video, photos or report details
Greenpeace International Photo Desk: + 44 207 865 8230 Greenpeace International Video Desk: + 31 646197322
Contact information
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LO Sze Ping, Campaign China, Campaign Director, mobile:+852 90430966
Liang Ruoqiao, Greenpeace China Communications, mobile: +86 13911152514
Omer Elnaiem, Greenpeace International Communications, mobile: + 31 6 15093589
Martin Hojsik, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner in Hong Kong, mobile: + 42 1905313395 or local number +852 68 41 75 15
Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner in Oakland, CA USA, mobile + 1 415 307 3382
