China - E-Waste and Environmental Pollution 2003

China - E-Waste and Environmental Pollution 2003
Around 2003, China was experiencing rapid growth of over 8% per year on the back of export expansion and inflows of foreign capital following its accession to the WTO, but at the same time, its coal-dependent energy structure and massive consumption of electronic products were creating serious environmental problems. At the 3rd China Energy Resources Sustainability Forum, it was pointed out that security risks from increased oil imports, air pollution from coal combustion, and delays in environmental measures would lead to a decline in competitiveness, making it an urgent need to balance economic development and environmental protection. In rural areas, 65% of daily fuels are dependent on coal, leading to increased acid rain and health hazards. In urban areas, the rapid spread of cell phones and home appliances led to a sharp increase in e-waste as the number of subscriptions reached 257 million in 2003. As a result, there was growing international concern that lead, cadmium,
and other hazardous substances were leaking into the environment without being recycled. In response to this situation, the State Administration for Environmental Protection promoted the introduction of producer deferred responsibility (EPR), requiring manufacturers to recycle and reduce hazardous substances. While referring to Europe's RoHS and WEEE directives, China's own circular economy model was being built. These developments later led to the Circular Economy Law enacted in 2009, which represented a turning point in the search for sustainable growth between rapid growth and environmental destruction.