China - E-Waste and Environmental Pollution 2003

China - E-Waste and Environmental Pollution 2003
Around 2003, China was enjoying rapid economic growth of more than 8% per year against a backdrop of inflows of foreign capital and expanding exports following its accession to the WTO (2001). On the other side of the coin, however, China's coal-dependent energy structure and burgeoning industrial production were causing a serious environmental burden. At the 3rd China Energy Resource Sustainability Forum, the security risks associated with increased oil imports, coal combustion causing air pollution, and delays in environmental measures were emphasized as leading to a decline in competitiveness, making it an urgent need to balance energy and the environment.

Particularly in rural areas, which depend on coal for 65% of their fuel needs, there were concerns about the spread of air pollution and acid rain, which could adversely affect health and agricultural production. In addition, the rapid spread of cell phones and home appliances in urban areas led to a total of 257 million cell phone subscriptions in 2003. This led to a sharp increase in electronic waste, and the risk of toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, and flame retardants being released into the environment without being recycled became an international concern.

In response to this situation, China's State Administration for Environmental Protection (SASEP) introduced the Producer Prolonged Responsibility (EPR) and urged manufacturers to reduce the use of hazardous substances while imposing product recycling obligations on manufacturers. Referencing the RoHS and WEEE directives enforced in Europe, China sought to create its own circular economy model. This was a pioneering effort that later led to China's Circular Economy Law (enacted in 2009).

At the time, China was enjoying the fruits of growth as the "world's factory," but at the same time it was facing environmental destruction caused by its dependence on e-waste and coal, and was at an important turning point in its search for sustainable growth.