S. Korea targets specialized e-waste recycling programs

SEOUL (Scrap Monster): Local governments in South Korea are reportedly launching specialized e-waste programs to prevent tons of electronic waste from going to landfills. The initiative is aimed at increasing the recycling rates of used electronics in the country.

According to rough estimates, the capital city of Seoul produces approximately 10 tons of e-waste per annum. Since 2009, the Seoul City government has partnered with S R Center in providing sustainable e-waste recycling solutions. However, only about one-fifth of the discarded waste arrives at this centre. S R Center claims that over 90% of the waste arriving at the centre gets recycled.

Studies indicate that an average South Korean citizen changes his/her mobile phone once in 18 months. If electronic devices like phones are not recycled properly, they may end up in China or other Asian destinations where they are recycled using unhealthy and unhygienic methods. Estimates suggest that only 21% of the discarded electronic goods in the country are recycled in proper manner.

S. R Center urged other cities in the country to undertake e-waste recycling initiatives in order to protect the environment from harmful effects caused by unethical dismantling of electronic goods. It cites that proper recycling of these devices could help extract valuable metals like gold, silver and other rare earth metals, which itself is a multi-billion dollar industry.