Characterizing the transboundary movements of UEEE/WEEE: Is Macau a regional transfer center?

Abstract

Used or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (UEEE or WEEE) have attracted worldwide attention, especially the export from developed countries to developing countries. While WEEE is prohibited from being exported according to the Basel Convention on Waste Transboundary Movement, WEEE could be exported in the name of UEEE or recycling materials, which are not controlled. Significantly, a clear-cut distinction between UEEE and WEEE is still very difficult. Macau is very likely to become an import and re-export center for WEEE due to its coastal location and trade system, which is similar to Hong Kong’s. On the basis of historical import and export trade data of electronic products (e-products), this study employed the used-new unit threshold value and waste-used unit threshold value approach to identify, and then quantify the potential imports and re-exports of UEEE and WEEE. Trade data of personal computers (PCs) and TV sets in 2000–2015 in Macau has been the focus of this review. The results found that the UEEE/WEEE imports and re-exports both happened in Macau. Macau is a regional transfer center, and could effectively augment Hong Kong and China’s mainland ports. The analysis also implies that the major import countries (to Macau) were developed economies including, in the order of quantity, the USA, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Canada. Hong Kong was the most common re-export destination, followed by mainland China. The outcomes are helpful to understand and manage the current import and export situations of UEEE and WEEE in Macau, and the method could be also referenced to look at other electronics and other countries.