China has drafted new guidelines designed to control the spread
of electronic wastes in a move consistent with practices in many
developed countries.
The guidelines are expected to go into effect on March 1 next
year, the Ministry of Information Industry said on its Website
yesterday.
Mobile phones, computers and other electronic products that
contain dangerous materials will have to carry a disposal warning
tag under the regulations.
The targeted substances include lead, cadmium and mercury, and
the ministry's hope is that consumers will heed the warnings and
dispose of these products properly.
In an ensuing step, the government will draft a detailed product
catalog to force manufacturers to use more benign materials that
minimize environmental problems, the ministry's Website said.
"The guideline will help us protect the environment and boost
the e-waste recycling industry in China," the ministry said.
Every year, China throws away at least 5 million television
sets, 4 million refrigerators, 5 million washing machines, 5
million computers and millions of cell phones, according to
government figures.
Nokia, Motorola and China Mobile have already taken steps to
recycle their used phones nationwide by collecting them at their
outlets.
Foreign firms such as Finland-based Samill Recycling and
Singapore-listed Citiraya are building e-waste recycling plants in
China.
The European Union earlier implemented regulations to control
e-wastes, and it plans to ban imports of products that create
environmental harm.
"We will conform to international standards step by step," the
Ministry of Information Industry said.
(Shanghai Daily March 4, 2006)