Regional e-waste monitor: East and Southeast Asia
Levels of electronic waste are rising sharply across Asia, as higher incomes mean hundreds of millions of people can afford smartphones and other gadgets, according to a UN study. The amount of e-waste in Asia has risen by 63% in five years, a report by United Nations University said, warning of the need to improve recycling and disposal methods across the region to prevent serious environmental and health consequences. For many years, China and other Asian countries have recycled discarded electronics from wealthier countries in rudimentary and often unsafe factories.