The changing geography of global trade in electronic discards: time to rethink the e‐waste problem

Abstract

This paper provides a synopsis of the changing geography of global trade in electronic waste over time using data available from the United Nations COMTRADE database. It quantifies the magnitude and direction of this trade between 206 territories in over 9400 reported trade transactions between 1996 and 2012. The results demonstrate two key findings. First, at its peak in 1996, trade from territories designated as Annex VII under the Basel Convention ('developed' countries) to non-Annex VII territories ('developing' countries) accounted for just over 35% of total trade. By 2012 trade from Annex VII to non-Annex VII territories accounted for less than 1% of total trade. Second, between 1996 and 2012 the two groups of territories evolved different regional trade orientations: Annex VII territories are predominantly trading intra-regionally, with 73-82% of total trade moving between Annex VII territories. In contrast, non-Annex VII territories are mostly trading inter-regionally: by 2012 less than one-quarter of non-Annex VII trade moved to other non-Annex VII territories with the rest moving to Annex VII territories. The results are congruent with an emerging body of research that profoundly troubles the dominant conceptual and policy framings of the global e-waste problem. Solving that problem will not happen if it is imagined as one predominantly characterised by dumping of e-waste from rich, 'developed' countries of the 'global North' in poor, 'developing' countries of the 'global South'. A reframing of the issue of e-waste is necessary to productively enrich the conceptualisation and policy discussion of e-waste as an issue of environmental and economic politics and justice.

I am more than the sum of my parts: an e-waste design fiction

“…I know you like to think of yourself as an altruistic person, so I would suggest that you donate me to an individual, family or community organisation that needs me. If you chose to do that, there are two clear paths that I could take: I could either remain in the United Kingdom or Europe or I could find myself overseas [3], [15]. As per usual, a number of factors will influence where I end up.…”

“…As per usual, a number of factors will influence where I end up. In the very likely scenario that I stay in the United Kingdom or Europe [15], then I would get to continue my productive working life with whichever organisation, individual or family I join. I could find myself supporting all kinds of different projects, such as helping children with school work or crunching numbers for a non-profit organisation's budget.…”

“…In the unlikely but not impossible event that I end up overseas, I could meet a variety of very different fates [15], [21]-- [23]. If I'm lucky, I could find myself working to support a school, an orphanage, or a non-profit organisation in countries such as Malawi, Nepal, or Guatemala [23].…”

“…And I suspect you wouldn't feel great about that hanging over your conscience, either. Sure, it seems increasingly unlikely that I would end up in an e-waste dumping ground overseas if you decide to replace me in Manchester [15], but it is definitely not impossible. The UK Environment Agency recently fined and jailed a man who had repeatedly sent e-waste to countries in Africa [29], and Environment Waste Controls, a large UK waste management company, admitted that a third party contracted company shipped some of its e-waste to West Africa [30].…”

“…In the early 2000s, a number of reports published 'alarming' statistics about the prevalence of WEEE being shipped from developed countries, such as the United States, England, and Canada, to developing countries, such as Ghana, China, and Indonesia [15], [27], [51], [52]. The reports raised concerns about the toxicity of WEEE and highlighted numerous dangers associated with the informal processes being used to dismantle WEEE in developing countries [15], [51], [52]. Although many people in developed countries have remained unaware of the issues associated with WEEE [53], the statistics from those initial reports shocked some into action [15], [52].…”