E-Waste Import Ban Prompts Abrupt Shutdown of Recycling Facility

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The strict ban imposed by Thailand’s administration on electronic waste imports into the country has led to shutdown of the recycling plant run by Fuji Xerox Eco-Manufacturing Co., the wholly owned Thai subsidiary of Japanese Fuji Xerox Co.

The company press release issued yesterday states that it has decided to close the plant at the end of June this year, owing to huge decline in supply of electronic waste materials further to the ban imposed by Thailand effective June this year. It must be noted that the plant used to process electronic waste from various Asia Pacific countries including Indonesia and Malaysia.

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As per estimates, the plant has recycled approximately 60,000 tonnes of e-waste including photocopiers, printers and ink cartridges since its inception in 2014.

The comprehensive ban on solid waste imports by China had led to increased flow of waste to other Asian destinations including Thailand, which in turn led to imposition of similar import restrictions by these countries.