Japan has entered into a partnership with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to recover critical materials from discarded electronic waste (e-waste), as reported by Nikkei Asia on August 25. The collaboration was agreed upon during an environment ministers’ meeting. As part of the partnership, Japan will assist in establishing regulations for the disposal of e-waste, including the implementation of registration and certification systems for businesses involved in waste collection and dismantling. The Japanese Environment Ministry will allocate funds for this initiative in its fiscal year 2024 budget request and work with local governments to finalize the details.

Southeast Asia has experienced an influx of e-waste due to relatively lax regulations on waste imports. Many countries in the region, including Thailand, have struggled to properly manage and dispose of the growing volume of e-waste. This improper handling can lead to contamination of the environment, including soil, water, and air, posing serious health risks. The partnership between Japan and ASEAN aims to establish effective rules for the disposal of electronic waste and mitigate these environmental and health concerns. Additionally, the collaboration is expected to benefit Japan by allowing the recovery of valuable metals from e-waste, which is crucial for supporting the country’s electric car industry and addressing its limited domestic metal resources.

Sources:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/Japan-ASEAN-partner-to-recover-critical-metals-from-e-waste

https://www.jumpstartmag.com/a-close-look-at-southeast-asias-e-waste-crisis/

https://kr-asia.com/e-waste-southeast-asias-growing-environmental-concern

https://www.ft.com/content/bfa3dc91-ea17-4c68-8be1-37a677bacd13