On the effectiveness of a license scheme for E-waste recycling: The challenge of China and India

Journal Article · Thu Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Environmental Impact Assessment Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2009.09.002· OSTI ID:21364722

Shinkuma, Takayoshi ^[1]; Managi, Shunsuke ^[2]

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1. Faculty of Economics, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita-shi, Osaka 564-8680 Japan (Japan)
2. Faculty of Business Administration, Yokohama National University, 79-4, Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-0067 Japan (Japan)

It is well known that China and India have been recycling centers of WEEE, especially printed circuit boards, and that serious environmental pollution in these countries has been generated by improper recycling methods. After the governments of China and India banned improper recycling by the informal sector, improper recycling activities spread to other places. Then, these governments changed their policies to one of promoting proper recycling by introducing a scheme, under which E-waste recycling requires a license issued by the government. In this paper, the effectiveness of that license scheme is examined by means of an economic model. It can be shown that the license scheme can work effectively only if disposers of E-waste have a responsibility to sell E-waste to license holders. Our results run counter to the idea that international E-waste trade should be banned and provide an alternative solution to the problem.

• OSTI ID: 21364722
• Journal Information: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Name: Environmental Impact Assessment Review Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 30; ISSN 0195-9255; ISSN EIARDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ASIA
CHINA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
INDIA
LICENSES
POLLUTION
PRINTED CIRCUITS
RECYCLING
WASTES