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An overview of electronic waste recycling in Vietnam

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management volume 19, pages 536–544 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a rising issue in Vietnam, due to a dramatic increase in the waste volume, and the lack of recovering materials. This research provides an overview of e-waste in Vietnam, which is currently considered to be hazardous waste. This paper also discusses the recycling technologies and perspective of e-waste recycling in the near future. It has been shown that Vietnam can only recover some common materials (such as iron, copper, aluminum, etc.) from e-waste with low efficiency. The recovering process can cause serious impacts on the environment and public health. In addition, the parts of e-waste that are not recycled in Vietnam have been illegally exported to other countries. It violates the BASEL Convention and causes a loss of an important “urban resource”. Recycling e-waste had not been regulated by Vietnamese government for a long time. As a result, this type of waste got under the control of informal sector. To respond to this situation, the Extended Producer Responsibility system will be applied in Vietnam in 2016. Due to the introduction of the new legislation, there would be an important reform in the recycling sector that is expected to increase the efficiency of the recycling system.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency under ODA Project Research Capacity Building, Waste Recycling Technology Development and Transfer in Vietnam.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Dai Co Viet Rd, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Huynh Trung Hai, Ha Vinh Hung & Nguyen Duc Quang

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  1. Huynh Trung Hai
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  2. Ha Vinh Hung
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  3. Nguyen Duc Quang
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Correspondence to Huynh Trung Hai.

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Hai, H.T., Hung, H.V. & Quang, N.D. An overview of electronic waste recycling in Vietnam. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 19, 536–544 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-015-0448-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-015-0448-x

Keywords

  • e-Waste
  • Recycling technology
  • e-Waste management
  • Urban resource
  • Vietnam