Millions of tons of discarded electronics from the United States are being illegally shipped to Southeast Asia, posing a significant environmental and health hazard, according to a report by the Basel Action Network (BAN). The report details how at least 10 U.S. companies are exporting used electronics, often mislabeled as raw materials, to countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, which are ill-equipped to handle the hazardous components.
Electronic waste, containing toxic metals like lead and mercury, is rapidly increasing globally. The U.S., which has not ratified the Basel Convention banning hazardous waste trade, is a major contributor. These exports add to the already substantial e-waste burden in Asia, where waste is often dumped in landfills or processed in informal settings by unprotected workers who inhale toxic fumes.
The BAN report, based on a two-year investigation, highlights that these U.S. companies act as brokers, sending waste to overseas processors rather than recycling it responsibly. This practice, described as a "hidde... download the app to read more
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