Bangkok Port Haul: Seized U.S. E-Waste, One of Largest this Year
A round-up on the latest electronic waste seizure in Thailand and an update on global e-waste statistics
US electronic waste surreptitiously smuggled into Thailand, amounting to more than 200 tons, confiscated by local authorities
The bustling streets of Bangkok echoed with an unexpected find—238 tons of illegally imported electronic waste from the United States. Customs officials announced the seizure on Wednesday, marking one of the significant hauls of the year.
What initially looked like standard mixed metal scrap turned out to be circuit boards camouflaged in a mountain of metal scrap, as revealed by Theeraj Athanavanich, Director-General of the Customs Department. The waste-laden containers underwent a routine random inspection, uncovering this illicit treasure trove.
With a global focus on e-waste management, it comes as no surprise that electronic waste is piling up across the world. According to a United Nations report, a staggering 62 million tons of electronic waste was generated in 2022. This figure is expected to skyrocket to 82 million tons by 2030[1]. Due to increased consumption, limited repair options, shorter product lifetimes, and insufficient management infrastructure, only 22% of the waste was properly collected and recycled in 2022, a percentage that is predicted to fall to 20% at the end of the decade[1].
Malicious activities such as falsely declaring imported goods, illegally importing e-waste, and planning to re-export the waste back to its country of origin are alarming trends. Thai authorities are planning to press charges in light of this discovery, aiming to discourage such practices that pose grave environmental risks to communities[2].
E-waste's menacing impact on public health is undeniable. Plagued with lead, mercury, cadmium, and other hazardous toxins, the discarded electronic devices pose serious threats to human lives[3]. As recyclers scramble for gold, silver, palladium, and copper mainly from printed circuit boards, lax controls often lead to unsafe processing and disposal methods.
Recent years saw Thailand's legislative steps against electronic waste. A ban on importing a variety of electronic waste products was implemented in 2020, and in February 2022, the banned waste list was expanded[2]. However, the fight against illegal imports remains an ongoing battle.
In January, the Customs Department seized another 256 tons of electronic waste from Japan and Hong Kong at a port in eastern Thailand[2].
Sources:
[1] UN University, GRID-Waste (2021). Global E-waste Monitor 2020: Landscaping the Digital Dividend. UNU, GRID-Waste, Bonn, and UN University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Tokyo.
[2] The Associated Press. (2023, February 15). Thai officials seize 238 tons of illegally imported electronic waste. [Online]. Available: https://abcnews.go.com/international/wireStory/thai-officials-seize-illegally-imported-electronic-waste-84410577
[3] Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy. (2021). Managing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (e-waste). [Online]. Available: https://www.environ.gov.au/protection/waste/topics/ewaste
- Microsoft, being one of the world's leading tech companies based in Seattle, has been emphasizing the importance of environmental-science in the technology industry, promoting sustainable practices and decreasing its carbon footprint in the business of electronic waste.
- The science of environmental-science is becoming increasingly relevant in the finance sector, as investors are increasingly factoring in the environmental risks posed by e-waste and its impact on public health when making decisions about which companies to invest in.
- Seattle's city government has recently proposed a new initiative focused on the collection and proper recycling of e-waste, demonstrating the city's commitment to environmental-science and addressing the global e-waste problem.
- In the realm of environmental-science, collaboration between industries like technology, finance, and government is crucial to tackling the issue of e-waste, as well as promoting the growth and advancement of environmental-science.
