How should we properly dispose of unused smartphones? Whether you choose to keep, throw away, or recycle them, selecting the right recycling service is crucial. This decision not only pertains to safeguarding personal information but also plays a significant role in environmental protection.
China stands as a leading nation in the production and consumption of electronic products, including smartphones. According to Guo Yijun, Director of the Solid Waste and Chemical Products Management Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, “Each year, a massive number of electronic devices are discarded, and if not properly recycled, they can leak into the environment, causing serious pollution and waste of resources.” This statement was made during a news conference held by the Ministry on October 22.
The Ministry is ramping up its regulatory efforts against illegal dismantling of electronic waste. A nationwide initiative has been launched to address environmental pollution caused by the unlawful disassembly of discarded equipment and consumer goods, with stringent actions against violators. The Ministry has also set up a complaints hotline to encourage the public to report any misconduct.
In recent findings revealed by the China Circular Economy Association on October 21, the average lifespan of a smartphone is approximately 2.2 years. Over the past five years, more than 400 million old mobile phones have been discarded on average each year, resulting in a cumulative total exceeding 2 billion units. Shockingly, around 54.2% of these discarded phones remain idle with their owners, while only about 5% are directed to specialized recycling platforms or new-exchange programs.
The regulations regarding the disposal of electronic waste mandate a licensing system for recycling. However, it is common to see unlicensed shops and small workshops on street corners. Many old smartphones undergo disassembly in these locations, where components like screens, batteries, and cameras are extracted and then sent to counterfeit phone manufacturers. The mainboards of these phones can end up in the hands of out-of-town clients who extract precious metals.
Industry insiders highlight that smartphone components contain over 60 materials, including various precious and rare metals and plastics, all of which can be recycled. However, these discarded phones also harbor several hazardous substances. Improper disposal can lead to the leaching of heavy metals into soil and groundwater, posing risks to both environmental and human health. Professor Wen Zongguo from Tsinghua University has emphasized the dangers of these practices, as some small workshops resort to incinerating circuit boards and dissolving metals in corrosive solutions, severely polluting the air and water sources.
Beyond smartphones, other electronic devices also contribute to environmental risks. The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce’s Environmental Services Chamber has reported that the high production and ownership of electronic products in China have led to a surge in electronic waste as these items reach the end of their life cycle. The accumulation of discarded products has dramatically increased over the years. Improper disposal methods, such as reckless dismantling and incineration, pose severe threats to the environment and public health.
Statistics from relevant industry associations indicate that in 2023, a total of 4.5 million tons of discarded household appliances were recycled in China, filled with valuable metals such as gold, silver, and copper, as well as plastics. However, only about 20% of these appliances are recycled through legitimate channels, with environmentally sound dismantling and recovery practices.
As previously noted, the issue of illegal dismantling requires urgent attention. The Environmental Services Chamber’s research shows that with the recent surge in commodity prices, many recyclers have begun to dismantle appliances themselves, resulting in hazardous waste, such as waste oil and lead-acid batteries, which significantly contributes to environmental pollution. For instance, old appliances often contain toxic materials like lead glass and flame retardants. Unlicensed workshops lack professional equipment, leading to contamination of water, air, and soil.
Fortunately, the illegal dismantling of traditional appliances, including televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners—collectively known as the “Four Machines and One Brain”—has seen improvements in regulation efforts. To standardize electronic waste disposal, the State Council implemented the Regulations on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Products in 2009, effective from 2011, establishing a fund for the handling of discarded electronic products. By providing financial subsidies to qualified companies for dismantling waste electronics, this initiative has effectively guided these products into legitimate disposal channels.
Guo Yijun stated, “We are actively cooperating with the Ministry of Finance to review the types, quantities, and subsidy fund allocations for electronic waste dismantling and handling, ensuring regulatory oversight on these processes and the smooth implementation of the funding system.” From 2012 to 2023, more than 900 million units of the “Four Machines and One Brain” were properly dismantled by certified companies, resulting in around 21 million tons of recyclable material—effectively mitigating environmental risks while enhancing resource recovery.
In June of this year, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment developed a comprehensive management plan aimed at regulating the recycling and treatment of waste devices and consumer goods across the nation, with severe penalties for environmental violations. They also established channels for the public to report environmental issues, enhancing the community’s involvement in local environmental management.
Moreover, the Ministry is also focused on strengthening prevention measures regarding solid waste pollution from discarded batteries and other emerging concerns associated with electric vehicles and renewables, including old electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and turbine blades, known as the “new three wastes.” Guo acknowledged that with the ongoing retirement of early models of electric vehicle batteries and solar panels, these issues are becoming more prominent, drawing considerable public attention.
As part of its efforts, the Ministry has developed pollution control technical guidelines for waste battery management, while also working on regulations for discarded solar modules and wind turbine blades. They are pushing for a robust environmental oversight of these retired facilities, urging owners to fulfill their environmental protection responsibilities and prevent any loss of control over hazardous materials.
The plan also includes a nationwide crackdown on the pollution caused by six categories of discarded devices, reinforcing actions against illegal dismantling practices. Guo highlighted, “In the future, we will continue to enhance environmental supervision over the dismantling of waste batteries and renewable energy components, revising and improving pollution control standards in line with advancements in recycling technology.”
In addition, the regulatory and waste disposal capabilities for hazardous waste in China have been steadily improving. According to the Ministry, as of the end of 2023, the capacity for centralized hazardous waste disposal reached approximately 210 million tons per year—a 50% increase since 2020. The volume of hazardous waste produced in 2023 is estimated to be around 120 million tons, aligning with disposal capabilities. Furthermore, the capacity for medical waste disposal has risen to 2.86 million tons per year, marking an 80% increase since before the pandemic, with all medical waste now safely handled.
Guo Yijun concluded, “Our goal remains focused on minimizing environmental risks while advancing hazardous waste management. We aim to establish a nationwide, comprehensive information system for the real-time tracking and monitoring of hazardous waste, ensuring full regulatory coverage.”
