It has been estimated that around 70% of global e-waste ends up in China (other important trade hubs are located in India and Nigeria). The main Chinese region where e-trash is shipped to is southern Guangdong province. On truly immense waste dumps, electrical and electronic devices of all kinds are painstakingly dismantled, valuable metals such as lead, copper, silver or gold extracted and relevant components finally collected for reuse.
Undeniably, there are big bucks to be earned with the recycling of e-trash, but labourers in the thriving niche industry have to contend with low wages, really primitive conditions, physically hard work and a very unhealthy environment.
As it is the case with all the other occupations in the so-called 'three D-jobs' category, namely dirty, dangerous and demanding (zang, lei, ku) jobs, rural migrants hailing from different provinces form the backbone of China's lucrative electronic waste industry.
As it is the case with all the other occupations in the so-called 'three D-jobs' category, namely dirty, dangerous and demanding (zang, lei, ku) jobs, rural migrants hailing from different provinces form the backbone of China's lucrative electronic waste industry.
Guiyu town in Guangdong province, for example, has become notorious for being the very epicentre of e-trash recycling in the PR China. The locality alone dismantles around 1.6 million tons of dumped computers, cell phones and other devices a year and may well be the largest electronic junk site on the planet.
In close proximity to the city and Special Economic Zone of Shantou, the town is home to approximately 5,500 businesses specializing in discarded electronics, predominantly in small, family-run workshops. Tens of thousands of workers are gainfully employed in these processing operations.
In close proximity to the city and Special Economic Zone of Shantou, the town is home to approximately 5,500 businesses specializing in discarded electronics, predominantly in small, family-run workshops. Tens of thousands of workers are gainfully employed in these processing operations.
Over the years, numerous reports about Guiyu have revealed various grave health hazards, such as high rates of lead poisoning, above-average miscarriage rates and high levels of cancer-causing toxins. Equally serious is the problem of environmental degradation resulting in extreme soil contamination, massive pollution and poisoned wells and groundwater. (For a recent article about Guiyu's predicament, see here.)
To catch a glimpse of the dangerous recycling trade, see the following slide show by Natalie Behring, simply titled 'Etrash', with photos taken in the towns of Nanyang and the above-mentioned Guiyu.
Behring is a freelance photojournalist who has documented the breathtaking transformation of China for more than a decade. According to her web site, she is currently working on a project about urbanization and the building of new cities.
© Etrash - Images by Natalie Behring
Behring is a freelance photojournalist who has documented the breathtaking transformation of China for more than a decade. According to her web site, she is currently working on a project about urbanization and the building of new cities.
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